Tory king of pinstripes delivers lesson in spin

Jacob Rees-Mogg is hardly driven by a passion for Northern Ireland's welfare. His business is to position himself as the man with the answers, the man who has done the work, the man who will not sell out to the EU

Jacob Rees-Mogg's early kick-off to conference season. Pic: Getty

Party conferences and think-ins in Ireland are relatively low-key events. Politicians are persuaded of their importance because they get some ‘free’ coverage on radio and TV and a chance to promote lesser known political hopefuls. In truth, the public pays little attention to their pronouncements or promises, stopping only to check which large hotel has been booked for the event.

The concept of stepping away from the usual rat run of politics – ...