News International's main sweeteners from the govt came in the form of the almost zero tax it paid, an arrangement that existed under the Tories and continued under Labour (think that's been tightened a little now). Apart from that, I think it mostly relates to Sky and the gradual easing of restrictions (keep a close eye on Sky News under the Tories). Plus Labour let the bastards get the test cricket, spineless cunts.
Kavanagh is such a gutless prick. He was fuming over the 97 switch, would've gone to the Mail if he'd had an ounce of honesty.
Anyway, all makes little difference. Tories are gonna win anyway and don't need the Sun. One of the worst things that ever happened to Nu Lab was the Sun's 97 endorsement, which allowed them to claim influence in an election that was already won.
Watching The Times drift right day by day over the last year has been painful.