ALL politicians lose their political antennae now and then, some for longer than others.

Mr Cameron has clearly lost his deft touch over the plan to privatise Britain’s publicly-owned forests.

As much as many people might accept the need to make a dent in the nation’s debt and therefore to cut services, there are few who can see any sense in the idea of selling off the forests.

An increasing number of Tory MPs are lining up to pour scorn on the plan that has no discernible benefit whatsover, apart from raising a minimal amount of cash.

But in terms of the size of the deficit, it’s not even a drop in the ocean; like paying a couple of quid off a £200,000 mortgage.

New Forest MP Julian Lewis is one of the most outspoken critics. He says the idea is rubbish and blamed unelected advisers for coming up with it. Over the weekend, one Tory minister was pelted with eggs after trying to defend the proposal at a meeting in a library in his constituency (at least the library was still open).

Mr Cameron is not averse to making the odd U-turn, as he did over the pre-school milk cuts last year.

In fact he makes a virtue of doing so, because he reckons it shows he listens.

So it will come as no surprise when this whole ridiculous thing is quietly dropped and ministers finally see the wood for the trees.