Tories approached by civil service

Whitehall seems to be preparing for a Conservative government, with senior civil servants arranging informal meetings with the shadow cabinet, the Daily Telegraph has claimed. According to the newspaper, Tory front-benchers revealed that they have been "surprised" by the approaches from officials and invitations to discreet dinner parties to discuss their plans should they win the next election.

While such meetings might be expected shortly before an election, it is unusual for them to be held two years before a general election deadline.

Sir Gus O'Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, is said to have recently had a private social 'catch up' with Francis Maude, the shadow minister charged with preparing the Conservatives for Government, at a conference.