David Cameron
As Parliament goes into recess, and we politicos get a bit of a break from politics - bliss! - I thought I might reflect on David Cameron's time as party leader so far.
There appear to be three main criticisms levelled at Cameron:
1. He has no policies.
2. He is an old style, right wing Tory masquerading as a liberal - i.e. the immensely cute chameleon cartoon stunt which backfired so hilariously on Labour!
3. He is all style and no substance - more of a PR man than a potential PM.
Firstly, I am glad that we have not laid down stringent policy as yet, partly because we are nowhere near a general election and the entire economic and political situation could change before an expected 2009 election; but more importantly, because we have had nine years of Labour making policy in order to make the next day's headlines or to cover some woeful government ineptitude - for literal examples see Lance Price's book "The Spin Doctor's Diary."
David Cameron has asked the party to undergo massive (and much-needed) change and has set up policy groups in six areas to extensively study and gather evidence as to what would actually solve the challenges facing British people. These groups will report around the middle of next year and I am sure a coherent, attractive and, most importantly, effective set of policies will be formed as a result.
As to whether Cameron is really a chameleon and/or all style and no substance, obviously I don't believe this to be the case. Equally I don't expect people to accept my word for it, but please be patient and judge for yourself when our policy review groups have reported back and substantial policy commitments are set out.
I don't expect many people to be disappointed and, at the very least, our policies will be based on expert advice and significant research, as opposed to being made on the hoof.
Far more important is the change in perception of the Conservative party. After the last general election, research was carried out into how the Conservative "brand" was perceived. A group of people were told of a specific policy on immigration and asked whether they thought it made sense - around 70% of people thought it did.
Then, they were told that the policy was actually Conservative immigration policy and asked again whether they agreed with it; the number in favour dropped to around 30%.
So David Cameron has been right to focus on the image of the party first as, however good our policies are, if voters don't trust or like the party, they won't vote for it.
To sum up, well done to DC and his team.
There appear to be three main criticisms levelled at Cameron:
1. He has no policies.
2. He is an old style, right wing Tory masquerading as a liberal - i.e. the immensely cute chameleon cartoon stunt which backfired so hilariously on Labour!
3. He is all style and no substance - more of a PR man than a potential PM.
Firstly, I am glad that we have not laid down stringent policy as yet, partly because we are nowhere near a general election and the entire economic and political situation could change before an expected 2009 election; but more importantly, because we have had nine years of Labour making policy in order to make the next day's headlines or to cover some woeful government ineptitude - for literal examples see Lance Price's book "The Spin Doctor's Diary."
David Cameron has asked the party to undergo massive (and much-needed) change and has set up policy groups in six areas to extensively study and gather evidence as to what would actually solve the challenges facing British people. These groups will report around the middle of next year and I am sure a coherent, attractive and, most importantly, effective set of policies will be formed as a result.
As to whether Cameron is really a chameleon and/or all style and no substance, obviously I don't believe this to be the case. Equally I don't expect people to accept my word for it, but please be patient and judge for yourself when our policy review groups have reported back and substantial policy commitments are set out.
I don't expect many people to be disappointed and, at the very least, our policies will be based on expert advice and significant research, as opposed to being made on the hoof.
Far more important is the change in perception of the Conservative party. After the last general election, research was carried out into how the Conservative "brand" was perceived. A group of people were told of a specific policy on immigration and asked whether they thought it made sense - around 70% of people thought it did.
Then, they were told that the policy was actually Conservative immigration policy and asked again whether they agreed with it; the number in favour dropped to around 30%.
So David Cameron has been right to focus on the image of the party first as, however good our policies are, if voters don't trust or like the party, they won't vote for it.
To sum up, well done to DC and his team.
posted by Hilary Downes @ 8:57 PM
0 comments
