That Cameron

[stackpole]

Author's note: Research, facts and figures clearly not done by Jo Brand as I am not that clever.

Clever?

[Churchill]

Jo Brand? Another Champagne Socialist if ever there was one!

Ben Elton is another. He made tuliploads of money during the "Thatcher Years".

[IR35 Avoider]

Although I largely agree with dodgyagents views, and I've no doubt Cameron and all mainstream conservatives do as well, I can't see that it would makes much tactical sense for Cameron to emphasise views like these.

Some conservatives have been making complaints about Cameron appearing to centrist. One MEP asked why the voters would vote for the Conservatives rather than Labour if they couldn't tell them apart. Two answers: discerning voters (myself and dodgy included) know that there are only two choices when we vote, and we are more likely to get lower public spending and a tax cut from David Cameron than Gordon Brown. (And you don't need a huge IQ to work that out.) Secondly, if every voter did toss a coin before deciding which way to vote, that would increase Conservatives votes by far more than campaiging on their policies did at the last three elections.

I think the media comments about him being a new Blair concerned with spin are a load of bollocks motivated by frustration at him not providing firm policy detail that they (and Labour attack-dogs) can get their teeth into. His job now is to commit to policy only to the extent that this helps win the next election, and since it is so far off that means to commit to as little as possible.

[BobTheCrate]

Making the Bank of Englan independent was a Tory idea

I beg to differ there Fungus. In 1997 during Bliar's maiden speech in the commons as PM, John Major complained to him about that policy.

Giving the BoE control over interest rates was the very first and only good thing Gordon Brown ever did.

The need for Tory image change
I don't see they have any choice but to try this tack. Like most of us I view such glossy spin as without substance ... but ...

When time & again polls show 60% public support for more right-wing policies such as on immigration for example; that support plummets to barely 30% when those asked are told it is a Tory policy.

Tells me they have a serious image problem which needs addressing.

[John Galt]

I beg to differ there Fungus. In 1997 during Bliar's maiden speech in the commons as PM, John Major complained to him about that policy.

Giving the BoE control over interest rates was the very first and only good thing Gordon Brown ever did.

The need for Tory image change
I don't see they have any choice but to try this tack. Like most of us I view such glossy spin as without substance ... but ...

When time & again polls show 60% public support for more right-wing policies such as on immigration for example; that support plummets to barely 30% when those asked are told it is a Tory policy.

Tells me they have a serious image problem which needs addressing.

Just goes to show how shallow and uneducated Joe Public is then really

[BobTheCrate]

Sadly I think it does John.

[stackpole]

Tells me they have a serious image problem which needs addressing.

Whatever the truth of the matter, these are some things that Joe Public thinks:

1. Tories only help the rich
2. Tories are incompetent with the economy
3. Tory voters are all blue rinsed women and retired Colonel Blimps
4. Labour are doing all right
5. Tories just moan at Labour for the sake of it

Unfortunately, the two years of IDS sent them backwards.

Cameron has his work cut out to reverse that lot, but he's started by addressing the last point.

[Dundeegeorge]

Get outta here

Whatever the truth of the matter, these are some things that Joe Public thinks:

1. Tories only help the rich
2. Tories are incompetent with the economy
3. Tory voters are all blue rinsed women and retired Colonel Blimps
4. Labour are doing all right
5. Tories just moan at Labour for the sake of it

Unfortunately, the two years of IDS sent them backwards.

Cameron has his work cut out to reverse that lot, but he's started by addressing the last point.

1. Agree that's a view
2. Only ******* morons and NL apologists can even say that without blushing or laughing out load.
3. agree that's a view
4. See 2
5. agree with that viewpoint a little. Instead of sitting on their hands, the Tories should have been ripping NL apart with everything they've got sincer 1997, instead they seem to have gone along largely with NL, just with the occasional snipe, and it does look like sour grapes.

The only way I sould be seriously impressed by Cameron at this stage would be if he was to offer Tony a square go, outside, now.
I think Cameron is another Bliar. If you want to lead the L*b*r*l D*m*cr*ts to power, join them, don't bend the Tory party to your design just to get elected. What is the ******* point?

[snaw]

In a strange kinda way what most of you guys on this board thinks doesn't matter in respect of Cameron. If he's gonna win an election he need's to appeal beyond the very narrow spectrum of the people represented by this board, who at the moment make up the majority of the tories supporter's.

If that's gonna happen then some policies are gonna have to change cause it's been consistently proven that the tory party as it stands up till now is unelectable with the policies it has, which I guess the core tory vote is going to find hard to swallow.

Strangely enough he's the first tory leader I'd even consider considering. I'm a bit suspicious of his lack of depth on almost all fronts at the moment but he might well be taking the tories in a direction I might vote for, i.e. away from being a small minded, xenophobic, white, middle class, english male with all the baggage that brings and back to something resembling the centre ground, with a touch of compassion thrown in. Time will tell but I'm not buying the Blair paralells just yet (And he wasn't a bad thing for his first term imo).

[stackpole]

Tories are incompetent with the economy / Labour are doing all right:- Only ******* morons and NL apologists can even say that without blushing or laughing out load.

Maybe, but Joe Public thinks it, and Joe Public votes.

Don't bend the Tory party to your design just to get elected. What is the ******* point?

I'll tell you. The Tories have had some good policies, but don't get elected because of their image. Having great policies in opposition is truly pointless, like the Lib Dems, so they have recognised the need to get elected in the first place.

For ten years, whatever hard policies the Tories espouse, Labour turn it round on them. For example:

1. Regaining control over immigration is racist

2. Staying out of the euro and the euro constitution is xenophobic

3. Reducing public spending means sacking teachers and nurses

And Joe Public believes this tosh (like snaw).

So Cameron wants to put hard policy on the back burner and spend the next four years improving the Tory image, so that Joe Public starts listening to them again and won't automatically say "here we go again". Volunteering to help Blair get his education bill through the commons was a first step. It looks adult and sensible.

Near the next election he'll declare hard policy, when it should be too late for Labour to invert it or, failing that, nick it.