Thanks to Michael Gove, we now have Tory differentiation - Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

Michael Gove: now we know what real Conservatism looks like

Remember last year when differentiation was all the rage? Specifically Lib Dem differentiation, as they described their efforts to have their cake and eat it? Today we've had another example in what is turning out to be a pattern of Tory differentiation, with Michael Gove's plan to bring back the O-level. The processologists among us will be interested in quite how the story emerged in the Mail this morning. Planet Gove is inviting us to conclude that it was a leak rather than a plant. They are not denying the broad thrust of the story, but they are not claiming credit for it either. Rather they seem to be suggesting that it was officials in Mr Gove's department who became aware of his preparations and blabbed in order to sabotage them. He had discussed his idea with civil servants and others, and also some at Ofqal, so there were plenty of folk with enough knowledge to cause mischief. Others of course will just smile and conclude that it was a well executed piece of product placement.

To judge by the reaction out there, Mr Gove has reason to be satisfied. The Lib Dems are fizzing because they complain they weren't consulted. And you can hardly blame them – they weren't. Their discomfiture will delight Tories, who after the Jeremy Hunt business like to see their Coalition partners made to squirm. Mr Gove's standing among Conservative MPs will increase because he has made the Lib Dems unhappy. But, as was evident in the Commons, they will also be pleased to have another piece of unquestionably Tory policy to proclaim. They have been clamouring for precisely this kind of radicalism. Again they will give Mr Gove the political benefit. His standing in the party rises by the day. Some MPs may have doubts about his TV appeal, but by goodness they like his ideological clarity and his fearlessness. First Leveson, now the education establishment (they love the way, having been called to the Commons for an urgent question, he positively relished the opportunity to get stuck in). Mr Cameron's reaction is another matter. No 10 sounds anxious about the impact on the dynamics of the Coalition, probably because Nick Clegg has done lots of shouting from Brazil. If Mr Cameron has any sense, he'll let Mr Gove bring his proposals forward, and help him persuade the Lib Dems that a party on 10pc  can't afford to go against a reform that may please the voters. And he'll promote it as clear example of what his party hopes is a new trend of Tory differentiation.