Amanda Platell - Conservative Spin Doctor

Conservative Spin Doctor

In 1999, Platell took the role of 'spin doctor' to William Hague. She sought to present Hague as a more mature and rounded character, even on one occasion writing one of his speeches with left-wing journalist Francis Wheen. Michael Portillo returned to parliament in 1999 and was subsequently admitted into the shadow cabinet as shadow Chancellor in 2000. Portillo immediately asserted his authority on the post, reversing in an instant several years of Conservative opposition to the minimum wage and independence for the Bank of England. This move was the first step towards increasing acrimony between Hague and his shadow Chancellor and by the time of the 2001 general election Platell was fighting a bitter battle with Portillo's supporters and later (after Hague had resigned) publicly endorsed Iain Duncan Smith in opposition to Portillo.

Following the Labour party's second landslide victory in 2001, both Hague and Platell resigned from their posts. In July 2001 Unspun - Amanda Platell's Secret Diary was broadcast which had been recorded each night during the election campaign - the secret nature of this film meant she was attacked by many Conservatives for allegedly betraying the campaign.