HOPE MAKES A GREAT BREAKFAST
....and a poor supper! David Cameron's campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party is being led by the UK media. The accepted talking heads wisdom is that he will win handsomely against whoever stands against him in the next round of the leadership competition and that the Conservatives will therefore begin to look electable again. Or so goes the spin! But you and I know that we shouldn't BELIEVE the spin, don't we? After all, the media is hardly a font of honesty. So, let's take a look at where Mr. Cameron stands on some areas of POLICY.
He takes a liberal approach to drugs, believing that emphasis should be placed on educating young people about the dangers of drugs and on rehabilitation of addicts. I'm sure this endears him to the luvvies in the Media.
On the EU, his view is that we need "to reduce" the flow of red tape from Brussels. No talk of withdrawal from the appalling Human Rights Act, no talk of standing up for UK sovereignty, merely an interest in a reduced bureaucracy. Is this the words of a man determined to stand up to the Eurocrats? Mmmm.
He welcomes tuition fees and road charging mechanism, but has nothing to say on freeing Universities from political control and lowering fuel excise duties to help the UK motorist. Mmm.
He has little to say on the war against Islamic terrorism and is mute on the appeasement of the IRA in Northern Ireland. Mmm.
Digging into Cameron's political philosophy is like trying to hold water in your hand - it merely trickles through your fingers until you are left holding nothing in particular.
Electing a Party leader that the media loves may seem tempting - after all, if the love affair continues the "Nasty Party" might be welcomed back into TV studios. However, to quote from the Bible, what does it profit a man that he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits his own self? The same applies to political parties. A Conservative Party without a coherent conservative agenda is pointless.
Do you think the Tory members will fall for the media hype? It will be their choice in the end.
Posted by: Henry94 | October 19, 2005 at 09:27 AM
Don't know about the Tory members falling for the media hype Henry, rather, they believe that the public will fall for the media hype and they will return to power. Hey, it worked for Blair.
Posted by: Richard | October 19, 2005 at 09:51 AM
We agree again!
Posted by: iluvni | October 19, 2005 at 10:22 AM
DV, Cameron also "knows" how to capture the youth vote - make childcare costs tax deductible!
Posted by: Snafu | October 19, 2005 at 11:03 AM
I marvel at David Vances energy. 10 blog items a day, most of them interesing, all provocative, some I agree with, most I don't!
David - you should go into politics again. It would be a better place with you engaged and active.
Posted by: Howard | October 19, 2005 at 11:49 AM
I think that in politics there are individuals who attract attention - you see them on tv and you stop and listen. Cameron is one of those individuals. Davis by contrast doesn't "have it".
I would generally be on the right of the conservative party but davis sends me to sleep. Cameron looks like a prime minister and i think it is positive for the conservative party that finally they have someone whose face does fit and can generate public and media support.
you gotta move with the times...
Posted by: thalia | October 19, 2005 at 11:55 AM
thalia is right. Clarke aside, it is crucial that the conservatives get back into power. Although I agree most with Liam Fox's politics, I am happy to accept Cameron or Davis as leader. I think Davis would be a better leader than many think.
The whole thing is media driven, however.
Posted by: Eamonn | October 19, 2005 at 12:59 PM
I like Fox at a personal level - the Glaswegian seems a bit more 'one of us' than the Etonian.
Posted by: Howard | October 19, 2005 at 01:48 PM
Cameron has charisma and confidence. He handled the drugs issue perfectly and stood his ground. Good leader qualities. I like Davis but im keener for the conservatives to think strategically and win. Cameron seems to be the peoples favourite. Not having such outright opinions at this point is surely strategic and good even. The party can work on the policies together. The electorate look for a clear leader after Blair and so should the conservatives. I dont think Davis has this.
Posted by: AF | October 19, 2005 at 04:36 PM
I'm with Howard here. I also have a GREAT concern that the media is going to stitch the Tory Party up good and proper, guv'nor. Finally, as AF points out, STRATEGIC direction is key - one question, what IS Cameron's strategy? Apart from to get elected????
Posted by: David Vance | October 19, 2005 at 04:46 PM
To win elections convincingly you need a combination of an election winning salesman and an idealist. Tony and Gordon, Bill and Hillary, Ian and Peter, Gerry and Martin. Cameron and Davis might work on the ticket together. Maybe that is just wishful thinking.
However until the Party at large understands that it needs to promote a consistent Conservative agenda and not change policy every wet Wednesday to meet short term public whims no it will convince no one.
There is still a big question as to whether the Conservative agenda can combine the both social conservativism and Libertarianism. Until that is decided and understood the party is just treading water or will at best scrape in on an anti New Labour protest vote.
Libertarian Party anyone?
Posted by: NRG | October 19, 2005 at 05:35 PM
How about a party dedicated to getting Givernment the hell out of our lives? How about a party that puts liberty first? How about a party for the UK as a single constitutional entity?
Posted by: David Vance | October 19, 2005 at 05:43 PM
That's the crux David. Ultimately politicians exist precisely to interfere in our lives. The party or politician that promises small government is lying.
Posted by: Colm | October 19, 2005 at 05:53 PM
You've hit the nail on the head there Colm. Politicians love spending other peoples' money and telling them what to do.
Posted by: Sean Fear | October 19, 2005 at 06:17 PM
I agree. Well said Colm. Why won't they leave us alone?
PS
cqt6
I am human. I am not a number.
Posted by: esbonio | October 19, 2005 at 07:22 PM
Colm,
Well, I think you may be right. I don't trust politicians, in fact I don't like most politicians. They are a lying class, in the main - with a few decent exceptions. Because of the nature of man, I favour very limited government so that the propensity they have to defraud us is as limited as possible. Vote for me and I promise NOT to do anything for you!
Posted by: David Vance | October 19, 2005 at 07:36 PM
lol - yep the media is so in love with Cameron that's why they spend the last week or so - continually asking him whether has ever taken drugs. So much for conspiracy theories.
Maybe the Tories are now backing Cameron because he's young, well-turned out and completely shallow but not dull like Davis or Fox. zzzzzzzzz
Posted by: GaffaUK | October 20, 2005 at 12:17 AM
"David - you should go into politics again."
I agree, give the voters yet another chance to reject such right-wing extremism.
Posted by: BB | October 20, 2005 at 07:26 AM
BB,
Your presence here adds nothing to the topic under debate. In that regard you are a model of consistency.
Posted by: David Vance | October 20, 2005 at 08:16 AM
GaffaUK,
Notice how they backed off the "have you ever taken drugs" alleged inquisition? They love Cameron because he is one of them.
Posted by: David Vance | October 20, 2005 at 08:19 AM