IT is two months since the General Election campaign in which the Tory Party put immigration and asylum at the top of its agenda, leading to accusations that it was playing on people's fears.

But a metamorphosis has apparently taken place within the party because, suddenly, the Tories are at Tony Blair's throat over his refusal to grant a general moratorium on returning failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe.

We even had the Daily Mail, which did so much to promote the Tories' anti-asylum propaganda during the election, joining in the attack over Labour's stance on Zimbabwe with the front page headline: For Pity's Sake Let Them Stay.

Perhaps it's a case of too much sun pickling brains. Perhaps it's a clear signal of change at the heart of the Tory Party, with Shadow Home Secretary David Davis - favourite for the leadership - leading the attack. Or perhaps it is simply rank hypocrisy from a party which wanted a quota system on asylum which would have put genuine refugees in grave danger.

You can't have it both ways. You can't accuse the Government of being too soft on asylum and then condemn it for striving to send a strong message to the world that only genuine cases will find a safe haven in Britain.

Of course, those at risk from Mugabe's repulsive regime have to be protected but each case has to be carefully considered. Two months ago, the Tories' quota system would have slammed the door in their faces.