Party spin doctors like nothing less than rogue voices in their ranks, but Tory strategy chief Lynton Crosby has found one in Totnes MP Dr Sarah Wollaston. She – along with other MPs such as Michael Fabricant and Peter Bone – has been a regular Twitter critic of the party leadership and aspects of policy. On Tuesday, though, Crosby gave the backbenchers a thinly veiled warning, stating that they had to decide whether they were “commentators or participants”, and urging them to convey a united message instead of airing their disagreements on social media.

However, his words went unheeded in the row over the government’s expected U-turn on a minimum-pricing structure for alcoholic beverages. It seems likely that Cameron will back down from introducing the 45p-per-unit minimum, following pressure from MPs Theresa May, Michael Gove, Andrew Lansley and David Davis – who believe that the measure will punish responsible drinkers on low incomes. No doubt also figuring in their decision is pressure from beverage barons and concern over losing short-term votes rather than improving the long-term health of the nation.

Despite Tuesday’s warning, Dr Wollaston has come out strongly against the U-turn. With her words carrying extra weight given her previous employment as a GP, she stated: “We know that whenever alcohol is too cheap, people die. If the chancellor wants a message from me, it’s that we’re already paying a huge amount to clear up the cost of this – around £21bn a year just to deal with the crime, violence and medical costs of it.”

Wollaston’s decision to stick with her principles after the Crosby lecture plays in stark contrast to the government’s stance. Its urge for a united message now looks particularly ironic, given that the driving force behind that urge may well have been provided by industry lobbying.

It is hardly credible for spin doctors to attempt to control the actions of MPs while the party leadership itself is subject to outside interference. Wollaston should be applauded for her independence. Meanwhile, the government looks set to lose yet more credibility in abandoning another policy at the 11th hour.

Image of Guinness containers courtesy of trevorb / Shutterstock.com