Tories' Australian aide urges party to learn from Kylie

The Tories were urged yesterday to learn lessons from Kylie Minogue as they work out how to fight back after their third successive election defeat.

Lynton Crosby, the party's campaign director, said it should show the same grit and determination as his fellow Australian, who is in hospital after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mr Crosby said: 'She's not a quitter and she never whinges. She is a good operator and she works bloody hard. She knows how to reinvent herself but still be true to herself. Even with this cancer thing she is being positive.'

The campaign director said of Britain, 'politicians here like to pretend they are gentlemen but they are as aggressive as any Aussie. They are fighting to govern the fourth-richest nation in the world.'

Asked about the poster which said: 'How would you feel if a bloke on early release attacked your daughter?' he replied: 'You don't run ads for people to like but to send a message. You have pictures of furry animals if you want to be liked.'

Referring to the Prime Minister's comments during the campaign about the Blairs' sex life, Mr Crosby said: 'I regret I didn't nick a Qantas sickbag.'

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