Comments
Four years on, what do we think of Cameron's leadership?
2009-12-06 13:55:17
Today is the fourth anniversary of David Cameron's election as Leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party.
I think we should all just have a moment's reflection, and ask ourselves what we consider to be the most telling moment, thought, image or (honestly, come on, let's try) 'policy' of those four years.
For me, I am still struck by some of his early environmental image work ... the wind turbine on the Notting Hill roof, the cycling to work (albeit weakened by the gas-guzzler following on behind), the brief flirtation with 'vote blue, get green' and above all that great picture of him all bright-eyed and rosy-cheeked at the Arctic Circle on a sled pulled by huskies.
I am now however even more struck by the paucity of environmental policy and the thin-ness of environmental voice that he lends to the debate in advance of what could be one of the most important events of his political lifetime, namely the Copenhagen Summit on climate change.
The contrast between huskies back then, and near silence now, does lead one to the conclusion that there is something to the charge that he is more worried about pictures than he is about policy and substance.
I was talking to someone the other day who is on the fringes of the Tory strategic debate (he works for one of the pollsters the Tories use) who said that Cameron's current strategy was to make a bit of noise every now and then but a lot of the time to keep his head down.
His health and safety speech would fit in the 'make a bit of noise every now and then' category. His lack of a big message pre-Copenhagen or pre-Pre Budget Report falls into the 'head down' side of the ledger.
It suggests he really does believe governments lose elections, rather than that oppositions win them. But while it is true that back in 1997 we were helped by the Tories, and might have won whatever we did, I doubt it, and I am sure the size of the majority was down as much to what we did as to anything the Tories did.
Indeed, when you look at the scale of change led by Tony Blair in his three years as Opposition Leader, and the extent to which we dominated the political debate as the Party went through a major process of change to policy, Constitution and pretty much everything else, Cameron's four years of leadership seem pale and inactive by comparison.
The notion that as we enter an election year the Leader of the Opposition should opt to coast, and keep his head down, is bizarre. But it is to some extent confirmed by the approach to his team, something Andrew Rawnsley writes about in his Observer column today. Cameron is deemed by the Tory image-makers to be just about palatable to the public, WIlliam Hague and Ken Clarke are already well-known public figures from their previous incarnations, George Osborne is bound to have a profile as shadow chancellor. But apart from them, every single one of the shadow cabinet could walk down any street in the UK pretty much unerecognised and unmolested. It is pretty odd to think they could within a matter of months be running every department in Whitehall.
Enough from me though ... what do you see as the thus far abiding image, comment, observation or policy?
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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
Span Ows
2009-12-07 13:59:39I think there is a lot of truth in what you say Alastair, however please remember that "the size of the majority was down as much to what we did as to anything the Tories did", indeed, but you still polled less than John Major did in 1992.
"Cameron's four years of leadership seem pale and inactive by comparison."
Again, probaly true but DC hasn't had to fundamentally change his party, just retune it. Labour needed (and had) a full engine rebuild with new (Conservative territory) technology. To put it another way, Tony and Co abandoned the Labour Party's core vote and won over the centre ground, nothing else.
Ed
2009-12-07 11:44:10"a billion times more effective than Brown or Clegg"
Effective at what? Honest question.
betty curtis
2009-12-07 01:50:20Alastair
Cameron's actions ie his cronies in Europe & then his rant about these two Muslim schools being run by Terrorists & getting financed by our Government--He carried this out without any facts---His loose talk & behaviour is dangerous & as well as talking our Country down continuously he could insight a backlash from Muslim's against our Country
It was hysterical watching "Dave" having his photo shoot above the Military training ground with gun shots going off(No safety dress in view)& him trying to do an interview with Sopal on Politics show! It looks like the BBC were struggling to get a guest nearer to home to appear & allowed Nick Robinson & Camera men (they are the only Press with Cameron) to work for their money(Our licence fee) & do this ridiculous interview with Cameron.
I suggest Cameron uses the footage in his election campaign.
Who in their right mind could ever take this man seriously in being elected PM?
Definitely no class war. Dave & Osborne have nothing we could be envious of only more evident than ever they must have spent the majority of their days(As GB says) thinking up their ideas on "THE PLAYING FIELDS OF EATON"
It's obvious they missed classes & concentrated on how they could be elected by using their Mega Bucks & Affluent Friends & Royalty connections
TAG WORDS
TORIES, CAMERON,OSBORNE,BULLINGDON CLUB EATON,CLASS,PRIVILEDGED,IDEALISM,THATCHERISM
OUT OF TOUCH, NO COMMON SENSE,WRONG POLICIES
pam
2009-12-06 21:47:27Bullingdon. PR. Pink cheeks. Dodgy Euro buddies.
Kath Chibah
2009-12-06 20:16:25Obama's alleged assessment of Cameron seems absolutely accurate: 'What a lightweight'
Alan Quinn
2009-12-06 19:13:12Image; rattled at PMQs last week.
Comment; several comments on "social legislation".
Observation; he is a lightweight politician.
Policy; Inheritance tax.
Rory
2009-12-06 18:48:25'The heir to Blair.' An accurate comment in my view.
Tribal is Annoying
2009-12-06 18:18:41'What do we think of Cameron's leadership' Love him or hate him...about a billion times more effective than Gordon Brown or Nick Clegg.
Jo Roddis
2009-12-06 17:06:33got to be hug a hoodie
neal
2009-12-06 16:35:11his furrowed brow when pressed by andrew marr the other sunday ...he turned purple at one point and i thought he was going to burst.. it wouldn't take a lot of scrutiny to unravel him.
wyrdtimes
2009-12-06 16:21:51It's great that Labour are talking about Cameron's class. It greatly increases the chance of the Tories playing their ace - England.
It's about time the Tories reminded McBroon that he has no mandate to vote on English issues. Issues that don't even affect his own constituents. While they're at it they should also mention Scotland's extra funding and it's affects - free higher education, free care for the elderly, cheaper prescriptions, no road tolls etc etc etc.
Then we'll see Brown squirm.
olli issakainen
2009-12-06 16:18:33David Cameron started well with his mixture of environmentalism and social liberalism. He is more popular now than his own party which is in the lead in the polls. So far so good.
Many people in Britain want change. They do not like GB and Labour but are also wary of the alternative. David Cameron has not been able to come up with attractive policies. He has not been able to assure the voters that he is the right man to lead Britain. In fact, the Tories lost the plot when the economic crisis began and have not recovered since.
Billy Bullingdon
2009-12-06 14:42:24Got to be the Bullingdon picture
Jonathan Tee
2009-12-06 14:41:52i have noticed he does something odd with his left hand when he is under pressure. I've noticed he doesn't like being challenged. I noticed last week he does not being reminded he is a Tory toff
Jerry Lightbown
2009-12-06 14:40:28His Europe policy - it is scarey and stupid.
Jack Kemp
2009-12-06 14:39:30He is a hologram. I have been racking my brains for things he has said and done ... they don't stick.
Cassie Pearse
2009-12-06 14:36:32Telling Tony Blair he was the future once. First sign of arrogance. Plenty more since
Mal Kelly
2009-12-06 14:35:47His speech without notes to bear Davis. Inheritance tax
Brian Moylan
2009-12-06 14:35:06Policy? You must be having a laugh.
Well they have one, inheritance tax cut.
I think the rejection of fiscal stimulus has to be the wrong call of the decade.
Even the IMF back the approach, and they are usually the ultimate "good housekeepers".
Comment: "Trust me, I'm call me Dave".
@empatt
2009-12-06 14:06:43The black and white Cameron family portrait before the death of his son. He knows suffering.
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