The fuss about sex also deterred the Lib Dems from announcing another controversial policy. Three days before the publication of their manifesto they ditched plans to announce that they wanted to legalise and regulate prostitution so they could tax the proceeds – a policy which they hoped would raise £10 billion a year. The plan was ditched after a stress-test exercise in which Paul Butters played Sam Coates of The Times, regarded as one of the most awkward lobby correspondents. ‘What’s the tax on a blow job?’ asked Butters, warming to his theme. ‘How much for a hand job?’ There were
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