Tory A-lister in Policy Shock: It's okay everyone it's only pretend

While recovering from the terrible injury that ruined his chances of sporting triumph in Newcastle, Cllr Reh Chishti limped into Bournemouth Conference Centre to find himself on stage in a Tory Conference event based on the Beeb's Dragon's Den.

Our very own Gillingham councillor had to present a policy idea before a panel that included Ann Widdecombe and Oliver Letwin. After looking up the meaning of the word policy (give them a chance, it's been a while since they've had one of these), the panel heard Reh's idea about tougher sentences for serial drink-drivers.

I'm sure Cllr Chisti's colleagues at Medway Council were very happy to hear that it was all a game of make believe as naming a Tory policy is a tricky affair. When asked on The Politics Show for 3 Tory policies, Matthew Fearn, David Royle, Paul Foster and David Woolmer (who is a Parish Councillor) hummed and erred until Cllr Royle gamely piped up: "Environment?!"

But then again, as Paul Foster was later to demonstrate on the programme, our Tory councillors keeping their mouths shut isn't such a bad thing. And he has learnt his lesson too. Still no apology.