I tried about 20 Home Counties golf clubs and country clubs, but they said No, thanks most awfully, but they didn't think their members would like to talk about their politics, a bit personal, a bit private. Sorree!Someone suggested the Friends' coffee room at the Royal Academy, gathering place for the tweedy county set. But the county set up from Sussex and Hampshire turned out to be mainly decent sorts, who said they'd vote Lib Dem or Labour, apart from one old Tory buffer from Tunbridge Wells too deaf to argue with. Maybe they were being foxy, but no one owned up to voting Tory.Across the road in Fortnum & Mason, three Surrey matrons had just lunched at the soda fountain. Coiffed like cappuccinos, Chanel-suited, with Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags, surely they must be Tories? "No, I'm for the Referendum Party, absolutely." Why? "Because we don't want to be ruled by foreigners." (Like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci?) "I don't want Europe controlling our money, telling us what to do." As her two friends nod in agreement, I ask what they are going to vote? With a curious little sound in their throats they say they haven't decided yet What did they vote last time? Well, Tory. So why aren't they sure this time? "Oh I do think John Major's such an awfully weak man." Could they ever imagine voting Labour? "Um, pass Well, maybe Don't know." Those are classic foxy Conservative votes. But if you are into Galliano and Armani, would you be seen dead wearing anything as unfashionable as public support for John Major?Every seasoned canvasser will tell you there is a natural tendency among Tories to be reticent about their views: after all they have a lot to be reticent about.

If someone on the doorstep says, "I'm afraid I prefer not to discuss my politics," you can always mark them down as a Tory. Now the foxy voters are saying, "Well actually, I'll make my mind up a bit nearer the time," but you can bet they are dyed-in-the-wool Conservatives, as are the "I'll read all the leaflets and then make up my mind."What of the maddening women who say, "Oh, you'll have to talk to my husband about politics"? They are the ones whose only rebellious act in their lives is to sneak into the polling booth and place their X malevolently in the Tory box just to spite their Labour-voting husbands: recent research shows more women vote Conservative and their husbands usually don't know it.So, hunting for Tories in the richest places, I sauntered through the Burlington Arcade where three young sharp-suited City types were standing by a window full of pastel striped shirts. One, in a tie covered in coy little pigs, said: "Put it this way, I've got a swingeing great bet on Labour." Yes, but how will you vote? "Ah, well, frankly I haven't quite made up my mind." What, you really might vote Labour? Faint snickering from his two friends. "Well, yes, actually, I might well," he said with a hint of bravado.

Fat chance, they were Tories to a man.Even in Harrods, in the splendour of the mighty food halls, hunting down self-confessed Tories was surprisingly difficult. "Oh I couldn't say," said a trilby-hatted racing man queuing for smoked salmon beside the fish display. At the chocolate counter a lady buying five fat boxes said: "Vote Conservative? I really haven't thought about it yet."Finally, at the charcuterie counter, triumph! There were two couples down from Tring for the day who all admitted they would vote Conservative. "But don't give our names, will you?" Why not? "Well, we wouldn't want everyone knowing our politics." Are you embarrassed by voting Conservative, then? "No, it's just not very nice to talk about." So why were they voting Conservative? Europe, smarmy Blair, union peril and general Labour untrustworthiness, they listed dutifully - good solid national-interest issues.But what about tax? Here the conversation ignited: "Labour will tax us blue in the face as soon as they get in!" said the managing director of a contract cleaning company.