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Is this the new Tory logo?

The image on the right was doing the rounds of the London media today, purporting to be the new Tory party logo, to be unveiled next week.

Rumours that the Tories were planning to use an oak tree to replace their "torch of freedom" symbol have been circulating for some time.

As one Labour wag put it, "It's perfect! The oak tree is virtually extinct in Scotland - just like the Tory party". (The Conservative party has only one MP from Scotland at Westminster and has been flatlining in the opinion polls in Scotland at around 15 per cent.)

Tory party members have not been so keen. An online petition, addressed to David Cameron, opposes the change saying:

"The Freedom Torch is a symbol of our core strengths as a political party.

As the party conference looms, nigel horne reports on a mystery symbol

If the objective of adopting an oak tree is to stress our environmental credentials, it is a flawed one.

"In adopting an oak tree we are blatantly replicating the Labour party in its introduction of the red rose as its party symbol in 1987."

One theory is that the drawing is merely a rough sketch to mark where the final artwork for the symbol would be placed. Another possibility is that one of the petition's signatories has drawn up this blue monstrosity in an effort to persuade his colleagues just how bad the idea is. If so, he or she may well succeed.

A spokesman for the Conservative party said, "We haven't seen it yet," but confirmed to The First Post that a new logo is to be unveiled before party conference begins on October 1.

Karmarama, the Tories' newly appointed ad agency, declined to comment.

FIRST POSTED SEPTEMBER 14, 2006