What the Tories Really (still) Believe in

From 18 Doughty Street

"David Cameron is playing an intelligent game

Peter Watson argues that far from selling the Conservative Party down the river, David Cameron is actually playing an intelligent game of politics.

Much has been made in the weeks and months since David Cameron became leader of the Conservative Party of the lack of policy he has been putting forward. It has been argued time and time again by commentators on both sides of the political fence that David Cameron is leading a party without conviction, a party devoid of philosophy.

One question that has not been asked however is what advantage Cameron gains by not detailing policy. The answer is that he gains a great deal.

Firstly Cameron is able to increase the Party’s market share by re-branding it, without having to change the substance of the product offered. Essentially he has put new packaging around the breakfast cereal that is conservative philosophy; a lighter shade of conservative blue, a new logo, cuddlier rhetoric, powerful photo ops in inner city areas etc. Cameron is quite simply getting people to fall in love with the packaging before they fall in love with the product. And it’s working.

Secondly Cameron would quite simply be wasting ammo if he were to produce policy at this point. Any policy put forward would be attacked by the Labour Party under the leadership of Tony Blair – but that is not the Labour Party Cameron will face at the next general election. If he were to release policy now Cameron would be letting somebody else (Blair) do Gordon Brown’s work for him.

Put another way Cameron is biding his time, waiting for Brown to take over and ensuring that when Brown does become PM the Conservatives will have plenty of ammo to fire at him while his premiership is still in its crawling stage. Blair is a lame duck and Cameron knows it.

Those who wish to judge Cameron would do well to wait until he faces his real opponent, Gordon Brown. Fortunately for them the wait is almost over."

And so a commentor confirmed...

"Well Said!

Agree totally with this. Cameron and crew have obviously taken the view that if they get too specific all that will happen is the usual reponse from NuLab - Tories are cutting this, don't care about the poor or pensioners, are only concerned for profits and eat babies too!

Whilst they can't openly say now they will cut taxes to create growth (see above) I am pretty sure this will be their strategy depending on where the starting point is when they come into power. So all the frustrated Heffers and Dalys should be a little more understanding of what Cameron is is doing.

By: Ted Foan - 09-05-07 22:43"

Disturbing Peace

Ex-boxer Chris Eubank was arrested for breach of the peace on Thursday as he tried to promote peace. Eubank was swept (do you see what I did there) into a police van but later released.
Also....
It was very peaceful at Michael Meacher's Labour leadership launch.

Too Many Targets

...drive some teenagers to diss affection...