You probably know that I write at the Cameron Leadership blog, well this one’s for you only!
For the last time, Cameron is not light on policy, he is just concentrating, for now, on getting the message across that we have changed. Change is something intangible but the Conservatives are trying to get that warm fuzzy feeling back into people’s hearts when they think of us. We are, overwhelmingly, nice people and the public must be able to see that before they will listen to policy with an open mind.
He cannot risk tainting the policies that will be used at the next election, which is what would happen if they were known and public before we’re loved.
On another subject, I went canvassing this morning with six loyal members and my MP. This is the only time I will be blessed with Tim Loughton’s help as there are more needy wards than mine. The point of this paragraph, though, is to let you all know that whatever the opinion polls say, the public mood is changing. You can, at last, start holding your breath for a Conservative Government (previously it would have been so far off that you would have suffocated).
March 12th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
Change is something intangible but the Conservatives are trying to get that warm fuzzy feeling back into people’s hearts when they think of us. We are, overwhelmingly, nice people and the public must be able to see that before they will listen to policy with an open mind.
I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t think that’s what’s happening. The problem Conservatives have had is that they’ve been afraid to explain and sell their policies on the “common ground” of politics - health, education the economy - and have left the route open for Labour to sell lies about selfishness, etc.
The problem is that Cameron and Letwin’s strategy has involved accepting these lies as truth in order to present themselves as a “change”. That closes down options. They can’t backtrack now - they’ve (falsely) confirmed that issues like copayment for healthcare or voucher schemes for schools are driven by negatives. They’ve surrendered an argument we’ve never really made.
Instead they should have let substance inform style. Before the 2000 Presidential elections, Bush faced a similar dilemma. Republicans were seen as strident and selfish.
Bush didn’t respond by branding core Republican policies as causes of instability, or confirm that they were caused by selfishness. Instead he presented these policies in a way that addressed the problems with perception: tax cuts weren’t for the rich, they helped the worst off; school choice turned sink schools around; etcetera.
Cameron has done the opposite. He’s confirmed the negatives as truth.
It’s no way to run a railroad.
March 13th, 2006 at 3:50 pm
I’m afraid I’m with James on this, DC has accepted the premise of the Left’s arguments. He has no way of coming back from that.
March 13th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
I won’t say told you so… I won’t….
Or maybe I won’t need to — either way, remember this thread!
March 16th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
[…] Despite Gav’s assertion that ‘Cameron is not light on policy‘, I do feel like policy wonks are starting to eat themselves due to lack of larger meals. But there are two ways to oppose the government: show how you’ll change things, and show how you’ll govern better. I think this charter falls mainly into the second category, and is just as worthy for it. […]