What is the cost of the Sun's backing?

The Sun’s associate editor, Trevor Kavanagh has confirmed that Rupert Murdoch was central to the Sun’s decision to switch horses in British politics.

Should we care?

It might be worth considering what New Labour ever got out of supping with the old media war horse. Tony Blair flew all the way to Hayman Island off Australia’s Great Barrier reef to secure his backing in 1997.

Since when Rupert has been seen scurrying in and out of Downing street on a very much more than annual basis. Surprisingly this has continued under Gordon Brown’s leadership.

Freedom of Information revelations have spelt out some of the ways in which Murdoch’s interest have benefited from Downing Street’s assistance. But a full inventory will never be established despite FOI.

It was after Hurricane Katrina had devastated New Orleans and revealed failings in the Bush administration’s response that Blair is quoted as telling Murdoch “the BBC is full of hatred of America”.

It quite simply cannot be good for democracy that one man can so play with the interests of a land of 61 million souls.

It is now being said that Mr Cameron’s Tories now themselves have a ‘deal’ with Murdoch whose Sun newspaper has come out in their support. What is it and how will the electorate be kept informed of its influence and antics?

It is fair to say the Sun doesn’t have quite the traction it once did. But News Corp and its parent News International is a multi-platform entity with influences that reach every corner of the world.

When the Sun shines, Murdoch has switched the light on – what’s the charge for the power source?