Comments
Daily Mail tells truth shock horror
2010-02-05 08:54:36
I am indebted to Labour's candidate in East Dunbartonshire, Mary Galbraith, for alerting me to an article which is about to make a miniscule piece of media history by becoming the first ever Daily Mail article that I quote favourably.
Yes, I know, I know, it is the most hateful and vile scumrag ever to have been published, and one article will not change that. And yes, I admit that I allowed an Associated journalist into my home the other day, the first ever, but contrary to her article that does not mean I am going soft. I was doing an interview to promote Maya, and I had no idea Metro was owned by The Mail Group. I keep telling people I'm out of touch but nobody listens!
And so, drumroll, drumroll, to the article. It is written by a man named John MacLeod, whose name might lead you to wonder if he is Scottish. He is, and his piece appeared in the Scottish edition of The Daily Mail.
In publishing it here, I am hoping that perhaps a few people in the rest of the country might see it. Because in addition to being published only in Scotland, Mary tells me she cannot find it at Mail Online.
Intriguing this. Nothing remotely controversial or off message goes in any of the Mail titles without our old friend Obergruppenfuhrer Paul Dacre knowing about it and sanctioning it - thanks by the way to whoever made that hilarious Downfall spoof with Dacre as Hitler raging at my refusal to requite his love - so either he has agreed to this piece - yes, it's coming - or he is losing his grip. Good news either way I'd say.
So here goes. It is quite long and in true Mail style I have edited out bits I don't like, or which don't fit my own agenda, but you will quickly get the drift.
'Six months ago, the impending General Election looked set to be a Conservative cakewalk.
The Tories were buoyant in the polls, fawned on by much of the press, free of division or internal dissent and taking full advantage of successive lucky breaks.
David Cameron's doughty and ruthless response to the Parliamentary expenses scandal - taking the opportunity to rid himself of a few backbenchers he did not like (did he?)- stood in sharp contrast to the Prime Minister's floundering. (ott)
Indeed, by high summer last year, it seemed Gordon Brown survived in Downing Street only by the pleasure of Peter Mandelson, in all his slimy gorgeousness. (don't like this bit but quite colourful and a useful way of showing they are always the Mail even when going off message).
But through the winter things have shifted, eroded - and changed. The opinion polls have tightened sharply, with the Conservatives unable to keep that lead in the teens essential to guarantee an overall majority in an electoral system unfairly (nonsense) skewed to Labour advantage. Mr Cameron himself seems in a more uncomfortable position. More and more critics have emerged in the Tory press and a significant chunk of older backbench Conservative MPs, while keeping schtum for the moment, have been alienated by the party leader.
They will cause him no trouble during the election but, should the Conservatives win outright with a parlous majority, then even a few incorrigible rebels can cause untold trouble, especially in a desperate economic climate when any new administration will have to make most unpopular decisions.
Cameron himself seems to have lost his edge of late. Last year, he routinely bested Gordon Brown at Prime Minister's Questions: in recent months, Mr Brown has had much the better of the exchanges.
The fatuous, airbrushed poster of Cameron the Great Leader, unleashed on the defenceless public after New Year, sank like a concrete kite in a nation which, after years of Tony Blair, is weary of messianic presidentialism. (kept this in because it suggests they see TB as Jesus. Maybe they are in love with him in Dacreland too. Je suis jaloux!!)
The Conservative leader tied himself in self-inflicted knots over an ill-defined tax break for married couples, which now appears, like an earlier pledge to hike the threshold for death duties, to be but a vague 'aspirational commitment'. (inheritance tax cut policy unmoveable, donors be assured)
In Scotland, absurd confusion now rules as to who precisely is in charge of Tory operations and who, assuming a Conservative win, will actually serve as Scottish Secretary. Meanwhile - and who'd have thought it? - Mr Brown, in all his glowering unspinability, has steadily started to recover poise and stature. There is, these days, a new presence to him. He gives every impression of relishing the knock-down-drag-out fight to come. (good passage - shows that authenticity is winning through v Cameron's lack of substance ... see my blog of the other day re focus groups)
Furthermore, as we the voters must soon make a hard choice in most anxious times, there is much wisdom in Hilaire Belloc's wry observation: 'Children always cling to Nurse, for fear of finding something worse.'
In his plump, dowdy, jowly ways, he (GB) is rather a welcome throwback to the pre-Thatcher days of avuncular, prosaic Prime Ministers.
The Prime Minister has also refused, consistently and from the start, to use his little boys for political advantage. They are never seen in public, nor flaunted for the cameras. ...Admittedly, in a Botox age obsessed with youth, vitality and skinny-chic, his appearance and odd physical tics count against him. But we are remarkably apt to forget that the Prime Minister's most disconcerting mannerisms - the baleful squint and the way his jaw drops at the start of every phrase - are the consequences of a serious boyhood accident, not outward hints of inner depravity.
But, as Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens (oh my God am I quoting him on my blog too?) and others have observed, there is something distinctly sinister about the anti-Brown frenzy of the past two years.
It reached its apogee last summer and centred on extraordinarily personal attacks, largely from people ruthlessly transferring their courtship to the rising sun of Cameron who would never have dared attack Gordon Brown when he was strong.
The election contest is now, to mild Tory horror, tightening rapidly because the British people have started to tumble to what is going on. They are beginning to realise how a herd mentality has largely skewed political reporting and how there has been a serious attempt to manipulate the thinking of voters. (Led in many ways by Dacre, which leads me to think this is a rogue element within the Mail, but I'm loving it)
There have been two recent tipping points. One was Mr Cameron's decision to renege on his 'copper-bottomed guarantee' of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, which - like the European project as a whole - is hugely unpopular with the British public. (largely because our media lies about what's in it)
This volte-face was spun by his cheerleaders as 'courageous', 'honest' and 'realistic' - but the fact is he broke his word. And from that point, as a glance at the polls makes plain, he and his party forfeited significant support.
At a stroke, Mr Cameron had carelessly fed widespread suspicion that he is just another member of an august, centre-Left (come again?) political class who, on a range of issues - Europe, extreme gay rights, immigration and so-called ' climate change' - operate in united and contemptuous disregard for the views of most ordinary people. (Kept in despite lunacy to remind you it is Mail)
The second drama was the virtual lynching of the Prime Minister by one of our most unscrupulous newspapers for daring - allegedly - to misspell words and miswrite a name in a personal, handwritten letter of condolence to the grieving mother of a fallen soldier.
In fact, the story scarcely stood up. The distraught woman gave a dreadful impression on the broadcast media and, to the chagrin of the rag in question, it found itself quite on the wrong side of public opinion. There was a real backlash of sympathy for Mr Brown, who had not meant to hurt anyone and was bewildered to find his good taken for evil.
...Admittedly, being Leader of the Opposition is about the most horrible job in public life. Some truly great Prime Ministers, such as Clement Attlee or Margaret Thatcher, were pretty hopeless at it. But David Cameron has so far failed to convince us he is a man of genuine conviction and substance.
He has not yet sealed the deal with British voters. Since New Year, his leadership has been marked by an unnerving timidity, while Gordon Brown - especially since the last, laughable, failed coup against him - has, remarkably, regained the initiative.
The next few weeks are the most important in Mr Cameron's life. Time is fast running out for him to show us who he really is...
The article then invites readers to email John MacLeod at jm.macleod@btinternet.com I will be sending one to tell him he can help to ensure Cameron does not become PM by donating £7.50 to Labour in the purchase of The Blair Years by clicking on http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog.php.
He should get two. One for Dacre. I'll put in a nice dedication. Honest.
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All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Bar Bar of Oz
2010-02-06 03:08:21Too delicious for words if the rampaging beast all the insiders "know" is deranged got elected as their PM for the next 5 years. Would serve them right for the iraq inquiry.
Robert Jackson
2010-02-05 19:36:51I do not know whether I would prefer to try to defend Michael Howard for sacking Howard Flight in 2005 for telling the truth about Conservative policy in a private gathering or David Cameron for keeping Chris Grayling in his position after telling lies in public.
At least Howard was making sure his party toed the line on policy in the final weeks of the 2005 election campaign.
Cameron seems to be setting the standards by which his party will govern the country.
Patrick James
2010-02-05 19:07:36It is a very good article in the Daily Mail. I also notice that the latest edition of Attitude magazine interviews David Cameron and confronts him with the amazing contradiction between his words and actions on LGBT rights. As a gay man I am delighted to see Cameron being properly addressed with this. It is outrageous that he has been allowed to get away with presenting himself as someone interested in LGBT rights when in fact he is the opposite.
Charlie Reynolds
2010-02-05 18:43:25Oh the irony............
Whats the difference between the honesty of the Daily Mail and that of Alistair Campbell. Answers on the back of a dossier please........
olli issakainen
2010-02-05 13:26:56Now that you have started giving praise to the Mail, what next? A cookery book from you? But I would not mind you starting to do God...
On the subject of the Mail, I am a man with an eye for a detail and I could not have helped noticing that you have, instead of stuffed heads of game, a framed front page apology from the Mail on your wall next to a poster of William Thatcher (or is it Margaret Hague?).
And still on the Mail. Stephen Glover wrote recently in the Mail that where are the policies of the Tory Party? It has been argued - even on this site! - that they do not have any. This could be tactical - they know that their policies are so unpopular that they hide them until the election. Or they do not have any. Bad things both.
Glover is looking at least for a theme that unites policies, but cannot find one. So where is a coherent set of policies by the Tories? Glover asks whether a political party can win an election by not being something? Thatcher and Blair had a story to tell. Where is Emperor Dave´s story?
Fraser Nelson has made a similar point. To win power is different from winning office, he said. To take power, a prime minister needs an agenda. Nelson looks at Tory policies and fails to see any great vision for society. He mainly sees policies that are borrowed from Labour. For him this not a change the Tories have been banging for.
Ps. Our second most famous fan, the Prince of Wales, is visiting Turf Moor today!
Brian Hughes
2010-02-05 12:09:03The comment about PMQs is interesting. Although its significance is vastly overrated by political geeks (I doubt it has ever swayed more than a dozen floating voters either way), it remains an interesting pointer to the leaders' relative strengths.
Many people, including me, probably made the mistake of comparing Gordon Brown's early goes in the lions' den with Tony Blair's polished performances after he'd been doing the job for a decade. Mr Brown hadn't even had the advantage of the years of practice on the other side of the metaphorical net that the other Mr B had had as opposition leader.
But, two and a bit years on, Gordon Brown has grown in confidence. Even those swiveled-eyed Tory bloggers, who appear to think the outcome of the next election will be decided on points awarded at PMQs, sometimes score the bout against their man.
The wheels are coming off David Cameron's PR gloss (we love a mixed metaphor or three in the West Country), many Tories are finding it increasingly difficult to disguise their loathing for him and the satirists are starting to turn their fire a bit more towards him.
The mighty pendulum of public opinion is swinging our way...
peter
2010-02-05 10:40:54Saying "oh my god!" really is for birds mate, or the Gok Wans of this world. Try shouting it at eh next Burnley game, see how you get on. Go girlfriend!
Chris lancashire
2010-02-05 10:11:05Shibley Rahman: "Hung Parliament"? Dream on. Continue to clutch at this particular straw but it isn't going to happen. The electorate will consign this, the worst Administration this country has seen, to political Siberia.
And however bad Cameron could be as PM he will never approach the depths of duplicit, corrupt, lying and plain incompetence that the Blair years managed.
Gerry
2010-02-05 09:42:58...Scottish Secretary? The mutter from the gutter is that Forsyth might be being "groomed" and set to return...not a pleasant thought - and, should it be true, giving credibility to a return to Thatcherism under "Thameron".
BTW, enjoyed the launch, and am thoroughly enjoying Maya.
Shibley Rahman
2010-02-05 09:39:17Hi Alastair,
I do not share your opinions of the Daily Mail, and, for what it's worth, sometimes I feel that you don't either.
That quickly aside, I would like to come onto the main substance of your blog this morning. After another interesting Question Time yesterday evening, I happened to catch David Mellor expressing unease at how David Cameron was doing. Nobody could fail to observe Mellor's open criticism - that he does not know basically whether Cameron is a Thatcher or a Macmillan. Nobody does. The general sentiment is that smiling a lot won't actually win many votes; nor win many hearts of the voters come May 6th.
It's David Cameron's remarkable inability to 'seal the deal' which has been picked up by a number of prominent newspaper editors recently; so much so, as Melanie Phillips from the Daily Mail alluded to last night, this is the sort of stuff that the public is genuinely interested in and which can sell papers. The airbrushed poster (of which there are 80,000 versions last time I checked) has exposed an unease about David Cameron's narcissistic approach to electioneering, raising concerns in the minds of the electorate (not simply voters) that the Conservative Party is really the Cameron Party.
Most political pundits would concede now that we are really in 'hung parliament' territory at present, with it very unlikely that David Cameron can confidently predict a working majority. The reason for this is well known. Cameron does not want to nail his political colours to the Thatcher flag, in case of offending those voters who did really abhor a lot of what she did in the 1980s like me.
So keep up the good work guys. I can only watch but my heart's with you.
Andy T
2010-02-05 09:09:02Macleod is on dangerous ground - that's seditiously fair and well-reasoned. Looks like mutiny in the ranks, he will be drummed out. Balance must be restored, Macleod must be transferred to the "X causes cancer" desk immediately for re-education.
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