David Davis for leader

Moving On

2005-12-06T15:05:00.000Z

Naturally we’re disappointed, but we’ll fully support David Cameron as our new leader. Loyalty is right and proper, and unless we can manage it, our party will never return to government. DC has won fair and square, and while we may challenge his policies, we will support the man.

So congratulations to him, and commiserations to DD.

Now we must move on. There's a mountain to climb, but if we are bold and work together, then whatever the doomsters say, we really can win in 2009. Or more likely, 2010, as disintegrating Labour clings on to the bitter end.

But it wouldn't be right if we losers didn't reflect on what we can learn from defeat. First, even in the telly age leaders just have to make good platform speeches. Right at the start we recognised this was a potential issue for DD, but set against his strengths we didn’t think it would be a showstopper. And without DC’s noteless tour de force it might not have been.

Second, excellent media relationships are not some optional bolt-on extra, but the very essence of modern campaigning. DC got a huge boost from that egregious Newsnight focus group, and the media spin on subsequent Conference speeches. But while we can complain about the Old Chums Connection, in reality it’s like complaining about the weather. You just have to deal with it- which DC has.

So we’ve learned- or perhaps more accurately, fully understood- that presentation and media management are absolutely vital. Let’s all hope that the skills which have been so effectively deployed in our leadership campaign can now be used to return the party to power.

We’ve also encountered something rather less comfortable. It’s whether Britain’s first-past-the-post electoral politics are at all suited to serious policy debate.

Because beyond a few totemic issues like Europe, it really does look as if all parties must crowd onto that sacred centre ground, all laying claim to the same current consensus. They can follow the consensus, but it’s unrealistic to expect them to lead. Which means that real policy change must be pursued outside the formal electoral arena.

We strongly believe in the Davis vision of “Opportunity Britain”- his agenda for boosting prosperity through lower taxes and deregulation, and tackling Britain’s social problems through radical public service reform and localism. He summarised it as using “traditional right-wing tools to achieve traditional left-wing objectives”. Despite our defeat, we will do what we can to see that agenda adopted by our new leader.

So good luck to David Cameron and his new team, and we hope to hear from you all at Burning Our Money (now with added blue Tory rosette!).

DDFL Wins Another Top Award

2005-12-05T20:49:00.000Z

Following hot on the heels of our success at the Daily Telegraph Jackhammer Awards, DDFL has won ConservativeHome's prestigious Blogger Award.

To say we are tickled pale blue is an understatement...and to have beaten that ruffian Guido Fawkes as well!

Mrs T is so thrilled she's decided we need a whole new mantelpiece to accomodate the statuette. Her chosen model is shown above. It's called the Cameron. In tasteful Crema Marfil.

All-New Burning Our Money

2005-12-05T18:35:00.000Z

And now, the end is near, and so DDFL faces the final curtain (well, in a couple of days anyway). Regrets, we've had a few...

But no more for that. No talk of wakes til we've actually heard the result.

On the day when Gordo finally fessed up to his egregious crimes against sound finance, the real news is that we're resuscitating Burning Our Money (Blogger version). Its mission- to boldly go into that giant conflagration of grandiosity, waste, and pork barrelling that is public spending. And to expose the schemers and dreamers responsible.

For is it not written:

"BRITAIN’S BIG GOVERNMENT POLITICOS spend 42% of our income, yet fail to deliver decent services. They promise prosperity, yet tax and regulate our economy into stasis. They talk up social justice, yet consign millions to welfare dependency.

Enough is enough. We the peasants demand our high-spending, high-living, irretrievably conflicted politicos come to heel."

With any luck we might even unearth some solutions.

And we'll certainly be pressing our new Party leadership to give the whole issue the priority it demands. We'll praise them when they do, and offer helpful commentary if they don't. Because unless we Tories take action, nobody will.

The first new post is on today's fiscal turning point. Hope to hear from you there.

Wat

Spin Kite Leak

2005-12-05T11:47:00.000Z

Looks like DC's spinmeisters may have over-reached themselves yesterday with that story about DD's forthcoming "humiliation".

Today we get a "clarification" from Camp Cameron. "A spokesman" now says:

"David Cameron very strongly disapproves of these backstage briefings. This is exactly the kind of behaviour that we have to get away from in modern politics. We do not even know if we have won yet. This has not come from us. What is in the Sunday papers is completely unauthorised."

The suggestion we are now fed is that it was all a bit of kite flying from Camp Doc, who naturally hate DD because he's from their own wing of the Party. Of course, DC's spokesman doesn't actually deny the story. He just wants to say that if it did come from Camp DC, it's a leak and definitely not spin. Because everybody knows DC doesn't spin.

But come on guys. We're not complete fools out here. We know all about spin-kite leaks. And deniability.

And most of all, we know about the foetid incestuous bond between politicos and the media that mires our politics in the oozing slime of....

Gaaaah! It must be time for my medication.

The Greasy Pole

2005-12-04T10:42:00.000Z

The Sunday Telegraph reports frenetic activity around DC's greasy pole. Naturally much of it is self-promotion. But plenty of energy is also being directed at doing down DD. According to anonymous well-wishers:

'David Cameron...plans to "humiliate" his rival, David Davis, by demoting him. Mr Cameron is planning to strip Mr Davis of his job as shadow home secretary and award the post to Liam Fox... Mr Davis will be offered the lesser post of shadow defence secretary and told it is "a job he cannot refuse".

A Cameron ally said yesterday: "Davis's reputation has fallen dramatically. There is no question in our minds that the leader of the Right is now Liam Fox."

In a cooing profile of DC, the S Times expands:

'Davis...has seen his status slip from “SAS hero to middle-management zero” in the space of a few months, joked one of the left of the party last week.

Shadow defence secretary...may not be a top job, as one Cameron adviser said, but it is “bloody hard to turn down”.“Davis needs to be kept in check by being offered a decent, relatively senior job,” explained another.'

So far, so predictable- none of us really expects too much in terms of magnanimity from our ever-lovin' MPs.

But much more concerning is how DC's supporters would apparently interpret the broader significance of victory:

'For the “Cameroons” it is not so much the beating of the man (DD) that is important but the fact they have beaten his politics. If this is the case, some radicals ask, why not banish him to the back benches? What better way of signalling that the Conservative party is on the road to reform?'

Now just a cotton pickin' minute there. If you DC supporters really think you've won the policy battle, you're in for some serious disappointment. As the ST points out:

'The Davis question is made all the more significant by the fact that Cameron has not necessarily won the hearts of party members but has successfully appealed to their heads by demonstrating his strength among the electorate.

Smart, metropolitan and at ease with modern Britain, the Cameroons have effectively been saying to the blue-rinsed Tory grass roots: “You may not fully understand or even agree with everything we say, but we can win.”

Having had my own blue rinse touched up only this week, I'm well placed to underline that comment. Cameron's proffered usp is that his charm, his noteless speeches, his charisma can get us elected. Not that he will rewrite all our policy beliefs.

And what better way of indicating good faith than to offer Davis a senior post. Just as Davis would for him.

Precisely What We Were Worried About...

2005-12-03T11:13:00.000Z

The FT has an worrying interview with George Osborne, DC's campaign manager. George- now widely tipped to retain the Treasury brief- is attempting to talk down expectations for DC's first 100 days:

“Anyone expecting a miracle on day one, and a complete turnaround in the political environment which has existed in this country for 10 years, and suddenly we’re going to be 20 points ahead in the polls, I think is going to be disappointed. I think this is going to be a long hard slog.”

Long hard slog? We thought DC's claim to our leadership rested on the sales proposition that he could replace bloody trench warfare with a brilliant Blitzkrieg campaign of movement and optimism. He's never mentioned a long hard slog.

But it's a little late now- for us members the expectations hurdle for a DC leadership remains a 10 percentage point uplift in our poll rating- just like Tony delivered. After all that hype, anything less, sadly, would be seen as failure.

More concerning still, are George's comments about fiscal policy:

“The whole point about [sharing the proceeds of growth] is that it shows that they’re both important, that you don’t have to choose one over the other, that investing in public services and reducing taxes are both necessary for economic prosperity.”

He believes taxation is too high, but also warns there could be little or no scope for tax cuts if the Tories regained power. “If there’s a problem with the economy then the country can’t afford tax cuts.”

So don't hold your breath.

Does he at least still agree with Mr Cameron’s assessment that the flat tax is an “exciting idea”?

“It’s an exciting idea but that doesn’t mean it can necessarily work in a mature tax system. We have to be fiscally responsible and we have to introduce a tax reform that works.”

Well, yes. Nobody is going to argue with the last bit. But I reckon George is going to discover that finding tax reforms that "work" is rather easier said than done. There are always trade-offs- winners, losers, and all sorts of unknowns. All we can really ask of our political leaders is that they have the right instincts.

And of course, the guts to take action.

Comeback King

2005-12-02T08:57:00.000Z

It's set to be the biggest comeback since Elvis played Tranquility Base. The media are against him, the bookies are against him, and whole swathes of West London are against him.

But as Blogger For Davis James Hellyer reports, the man himself hasn't thrown in the towel. Standing toe to toe with DC in a frozen cattle pen way, way out West, DD obviously is still a hunk a hunk of burnin' conviction. As James says:

"My impression of the evening was that Davis was far stronger on policy issues, and on explaining how policies work, while Cameron was more skilled and easy in stage presentation. In the end the choice appears to come down to one between a man who knows what he wants and explain to us how he intends to get it, and a man who is more in touch with image led politics, but is far more vague about what he intends to do and how he intends to do it."

It's the King vs Alvin Stardust.

Last Chance

2005-12-01T09:36:00.000Z

Today is the last chance for posting ballot papers. The last chance for choosing substance and experience over style and fingers-crossed.

We can all see the odds are heavily stacked against DD, but we are the members and it is still in our hands.

Even if he does not win, it is important that he polls well. We may not be invited to those North Kensington pasta parties, but attendees need to understand we do have a voice. The very worst thing for the Party would be a Year Zero reinvention, junking all those timeless Tory principles most of us still hold very dear.

The time to make ourselves heard is NOW.

The Party That Likes To Say Yes!

2005-11-30T15:25:00.000Z

Do you remember TSB- "The Bank That Likes To Say Yes!" (1mb TV ad download here).

The SDP's Danny Finkelstein reckons the Tory Party should copy it. And he makes DC our yes-man, pitched against DD's no-man, a case spun from that Sky hustings exchange:

DD: "We have a situation where the centre of many cities and towns in this country are no-go areas for decent people.”
DC: “We must not make everyone who wants to go out and have a drink on a Friday and Saturday night sound like a criminal.”

The moment I heard this I recognised the debate the two were having. Should the Conservative Party paint the skies blue or should they paint them black?"

You can guess which side Fink comes down on, but just in case we don't get it, he spells it out:

"The reason that optimism is a superior political position to pessimism is really quite simple — association. Why do you think car companies advertise their products with attractive women? It makes their cars seem sexy."

Simple as that huh?

And what happens when you might actually have to say "no"? Or won't that ever happen?

PS For those interested in these things, 'the TSB movement was started in 1810 by the Reverend Henry Duncan in the small Scottish village of Ruthwell to improve the financial position of what were then termed the "labouring classes". For the next 175 years it ran a very conservative and successful operation. Unfortunately, after it floated in the go-go 80s, their board got carried away with a whole load of frothy ideas driven by management consultants and admen. Like saying yes to everything. It didn't really work, and in 1995 the whole wobbly shebang was gobbled up by Lloyds. Most of the branches then got turned into bars or worse; the picture shows all that's left of the flagship branch in Newcastle- probably after a 24 hour drinking binge.

Not that anything like that could happen to our Party.
No.
Definitely not.

All-New Fantasy Cabinet

2005-11-29T21:19:00.000Z

It's a game we've all played many times before, but over at ConservativeHome it's in full swing once again. Just how should DD balance his shadow cabinet?

The first and most important thing will be to re-establish unity. After our prolonged and sometimes difficult contest, Davis must reach out right across the Party, and particularly to the disappointed supporters of David Cameron.

There will be no place for petty vindictiveness, or settling of old scores, or cronyism. As DD has said many times, his will be a cabinet of all the talents. And quite right too.

So William Hague for Shadow Chancellor- everyone's choice, if he can afford it. And Liam Fox to stay as Shadow Foreign Secretary. Certainly.

But the real question will be what to do with DC himself. We believe it is essential he be given one of the very top jobs, and accorded all the respect that decency and good sense demand for the runner-up. He would make an excellent Shadow Home Secretary, a post which should be combined with the Deputy Leadership.

Of course there will be those that say he should be punished for saying challenging things about DD. And for having supporters who have taken things too far. But we say Davis is a bigger man than that. He is a real leader, and a real leader thrives on robust debate.

After all, if the positions were reversed, do we really believe DC would behave any less well?

Bigtime Punter Backs Davis

2005-11-29T18:19:00.000Z

According the the Evening Standard, major league punter and Tory backer Stuart Wheeler has endorsed DD:

“I think that Davis would have the toughness to maintain discipline in the Party and I think he would take a harder line on Europe and I welcome his keenness to revive the economy through lower taxes.”

All of which we naturally agree with.

But more interesting is how much he'll win when DD is elected.

Think about it. DD is now 33/1- fantastic odds that Mr W could surely not ignore. And being the sporting gent he is, he wouldn't want to be outdone by that 200 grand bet on DC. So let's say he matches it.

£200,000 times 33...why, that's nearly seven big ones. Payable next Tuesday.

Let's hope he donates some to the Party.

Platitudes Vs Policy

2005-11-28T17:10:00.000Z

On R4 Today this morning, John Humphrys almost used the Tyler Opposites Test on DC- would anyone seriously argue the opposite to anything he said?

Anatole Kaletsky picks up the same point. He has had private discussions with both leadership candidates, and says of DC:

'Consider the statement ....that David Cameron has repeated almost verbatim in his campaign speeches and public debates: ... the promise to “share fairly the fruits of economic growth between lower taxes and strengthened public services”... If such platitudinous ambiguities were really the essence of the New Tory credo, the rejuvenated party would find itself supporting not just Tony Blair, but also Gordon Brown, in almost everything they did or said.'

Kaletsky contrasts this to the Davis approach:

'The Davis position on tax and spending ...comes up with commitments that are much more clear-cut...the steady build-up of 1 per cent economies would allow Davis to deliver his promise of a tax cut of roughly equivalent to 4 per cent of GDP, or £40 billion, at the end of a four-year parliament. ...waste, inefficiency and over-manning are rife in the public sector and if government productivity could only be raised to levels that are taken for granted in private industry, achieving a target of 1 per cent savings each year should not be impossible, even while services are improved. This is an attractive argument, but one which has been made by every opposition politician in every country in every age.'

Which is fair comment. But with Davis, we know what the priorities would be, and we know how he would seek to deliver. With Cameron, neither we nor Kaletsky have any idea.

Gordo Apes Davis

2005-11-27T10:39:00.001Z

According to the authoritative David Smith, Gordo is preparing for a DD-led Tory Party by aping his "Growth Rule". As you know, this is DD's strategy for limiting the growth of public spending below the growth of the economy, thereby clearing the way for tax cuts. Smith says:

"In his pre-budget report Brown will announce that spending by government departments will rise by 1.9% a year in real terms over the period 2008-9 to 2010-11, below the economy’s long-run growth rate which is estimated by the Treasury to be 2.75%."

Obviously, Gordo's version of the Rule is a pale imitation with about as much credibility as his pledges to raise productivity growth or to abolish unhappiness. But it sounds like he's already running scared.

Roll on 6 December.

Early Test For Rehab Policy

2005-11-26T09:44:00.000Z

"I believe that the rehabilitation of prisoners is one of the most important things we can do to reduce crime in this country. A serious-minded approach to re-introducing prisoners into mainstream work and life after prison is also required if we are to make any dent in the appalling figures for re-offending from which we suffer at present."

So says the caring sharing Mr Cameron.

And if he wins, he'll get a splendid opportunity to put his beliefs into practice straight away. Because ex-con Lord Archer has applied for his old job back. He's paid his dues, and in DC's world it's only right he be given a chance to resume mainstream work and life after prison.

On such an important issue, we're confident DC would eschew any nimbyism or "don't do as I do, do as I sayism" and welcome his Lordship back into the Tory fold.

PS For those who've forgotten DD's pledge to "build the prisons to put them away and keep them off our streets", it's here.

The Amnesial Airbrush

2005-11-25T10:52:00.000Z

What are we to make of DC's selective amnesia? Yesterday during the Sky hustings he reckoned he "couldn't remember" how he had voted in Parliament on gay adoption. The facts of course are that, although he's now in favour, he twice voted against- on 16th May 2002 (Division 244) and four days later (Division 246).

So what's going on? Over on ConservativeHome posters are calling him a liar, and worse. Here on DDFL we always like to think the best of fellow Tories, so naturally we shy away from such talk.

But if not a liar than what?

Perhaps he genuinely forgot. A Blunkett moment. But then again, this isn't exactly the Schleswig-Holstein Question, and if he forgot this, what else might he have forgotten? Samantha's birthday? A sieve is surely not what we had in mind as leader.

So what then?

We really don't need to look far because it's been put up in lights for us. A "Change To Win" Cameron Tory Party would start at Year Zero. Everything- from gay adoption to those timeless Tory principles- would be subject to change and reversal.

And inconvenient historic artefacts? Well, expect to see much more of that amnesial airbrush.

PS Clive Davis picks up another issue from the Sky hustings- the exchange beween DD and DC over 24 hour drinking. DD said "We have a situation where the centres of many towns and cities in this country are no-go areas for decent people...We have to recognise that, and recognise that what the Government is doing today is actually making that much worse." To which DC's reponse was "When you say 'no-go areas for decent people' you are almost implying that anyone who does go out is not a decent person. You have got to be very, very careful, David. That's something the Conservative Party has got to understand. We have to show we understand people's aspirations and not sound all the time as if we are preaching to people." "Aspirations"- a particularly weasely word, as Clive explains.

Still In Our Hands

2005-11-25T07:57:00.000Z

With the Sun and the Telegraph both today declaring for DC, we Tories must stand firm.

Because as we've said many times before, the media are never more than fair weather friends. And they like to back the side they think is going to win.

Take the Sun's DC endorsement:

'Nobody is entirely sure where he stands on issues like taxation.

On the vital issue of Brussels, he seems to be clear: Britain must not surrender an ounce more sovereignty to the EU. It remains to be seen if he has the balls to turn those words into action.
But despite these reservations, we like what we see...

He looks good on TV and he has the rare gift as a Tory of making voters feel good about life. These may seem superficial qualities. But they are essential in an age when the medium is the message.

...A raw beginner with a sprinkle of stardust. '

Pretty encouraging stuff, you might think. But just remember- supporting DC for the leadership is not the same as supporting the Tories against Labour. Compare and contrast their well-known position on that:

"The Sun said during the election that it will consider supporting the Conservative Party only when it clearly adopts the principles of small government and low taxes."

Yes, we know all about the circulation imperative and those rumoured media deals, but in a close race- as the next Election will be- the Kavanagh/Steltzer Sun will guided by conviction and commitment. Not stardust.

As will the electorate, an uncomfortable fact underlined today's YouGov poll. Yes, we are now only 2 points behind Blair-led Labour, amid much talk of the wheels coming off. Which is excellent.

But in that all-important contest with Brown-led Labour, we're still miles behind. Even Stardust Cameron trails Gordo by 46% to 37%.

Sadly, there is no quick fix media froth solution to our real difficulties. It will be a long-hard road where those round objects will be an absolute requirement.

Tylers Vote

2005-11-24T12:11:00.000Z

Following the hustings Mrs T and I have voted.

After due consideration, my vote has gone to DD. I have to say I'm less sure about Mrs T. Despite my express instructions that she was to show me her completed ballot paper, she stuffed it into the envelope before I could see.

Modern marriage is all very well, but I do wish wives would understand their limits. They'll be wanting to have more women MPs next.

Frimley Shimmy

2005-11-23T16:27:00.000Z

Mrs T and I attended the Frimley hustings today (my full, totally objective report is on ConservativeHome).

It was a gentle gentlemanly affair, thoroughly appreciated by attendees, but probably doing little to sway members from their prior views. The two Davids have been spending so much time together, they're now finishing each other's jokes.

The one point of real interest was DC's apparent shimmy on withdrawal from the EPP. As noted yesterday, DC's position had been that we would withdraw virtually as soon as he became leader, despite the obvious pitfalls in such an abrupt move.

Well, this morning he shifted his position. While he's still in favour of withdrawal, the "timing" of any decision would now be a matter for the new Shadow Foreign Secretary.

Perhaps not a huge thing in itself (although the likes of Mr Cash may not agree), but it is one more example of DC sort of...hmm, making it up as he goes along.

Now, where've we come across that before?

Bloggers For Davis 39

2005-11-22T15:03:00.000Z

Mark Adams has an excellent post at Outside Story about leaving the EPP. He contrasts DC's opportunistic commitment to withdraw immediately with DD's more measured approach:

"DC is a past-master of unpopular policies that look opportunistic. In fact he has promised to execute one as his first act if elected leader. The policy is leaving the EPP in his first week as leader. It is he has done with Daniel Hannan and Bill Cash.

Leaving the EPP is...getting out of a federalist party that supports the left/right consensus that is bogging down Europe... We want to be a part of an Atlanticist, pro-market coalition that includes the parties of Eastern Europe and even parties like the German FDP. In fact we want to lead such a party.

Leaving the EPP in the first week would squander that opportunity. Cameron wants to get out but he has nowhere to go. There is no coalition waiting for us. We would be isolated in Europe. Creating a party for us to lead could put the Conservative’s at the head of the third largest coalition in Europe. Isolating ourselves would make us a non-entity...

David Davis... would listen to the Euro MPs... about who we can work with. He would use their advice and turn it into a plan. Then he would let them vote on the plan. There would be no rebellion against an imposed move. There would be no talk of opportunism. He would take us out of the EPP but he would do it right.

That is where Davis’s experience will save us an embarrassment. More importantly it is where he would succeed in not looking opportunistic because his positions are based on principle, not PR. That is his strength and Cameron’s weakness. If Conservative members cannot see this by December 5 th then they will see it in Cameron’s first week as leader. That, unfortunately, would be too late."

The Day Of The Jackaroo

2005-11-22T13:46:00.000Z

One man with a PR department who can change the course of history.

Or...umm, can he?

Maggie's favourite author Freddie Forsyth is worried that DC won't be up to the job:

"Whoever takes over the Conservative Party is going to have to take on New Labour's attack dogs and they are provenly vicious. And Paris and Brussels over EU reform and they are ruthless. And the vested interests who live off all our backs and they are devious and
unscrupulous.

So that is the real choice. I plump for the man who has been there for 20 years. Occupied five senior offices. Been round the block a few times. Taken hardship, opposition and tough times and beaten them all. It's the tested fighter or the beaming Tory Boy.

Just put it this way: if you were in an alley late at night, with two yobs bearing down, which one would you prefer beside you? Ah, you say, politics are not like that. Oh yes they are, chum, oh yes they are."

And that wild Sunday Telegraph article about the Treasury's secret Cameron dossier will be just the start.

"Flogging A Dead Horse"

2005-11-21T12:49:00.000Z

Despite the bookies, and despite the gleeful sneers of DC supporters, there's still time for us members to choose DD.

Because it seems this race is running very differently to 2001, with less than half of ballot papers so far returned. And nobody actually knows how the votes are splitting.

So we're looking forward to our local hustings on Wednesday, where we will be taking the temperature of some real members well outside the metrobubble.

PS I'll be reporting the Frimley hustings for ConservativeHome. And as I've already told Tim, my strategy will be objective reporting. Although that cannot be a guarantee, or even a promise.

Body Talk

2005-11-20T17:18:00.000Z

There was of course one interesting bit in today's TV hustings. This was right at the start when the candidates walked on, and DC tried to execute a two-handed power handshake on DD. Generally not a great idea: to quote body language expert Allan Pease:

"It is quite common to see politicians greeting voters and sales people meeting their new customers with a double-handed hand shake without realising that this can be social suicide, putting the receiver offside."

Of course, given DC's meticulous staging, it's quite likely that he was trying to put DD "offside" in order to unsettle him. But the problem with too much body language artifice is that it can so easily backfire.

Today's Sunday Times Appointments section (not apparently online) also unpicks DC's over-rehearsed body language. Top management trainer Jo Ouston watched the QT hustings and comments:

“All we get is stage presence. How are we meant to make any judgment on this basis? It would have paid him to show more of his ideas...

While David Cameron has clearly been trained in presentation skills, giving a more polished performance, David Davis has real gravitas, real presence, which is more credible...

Cameron’s presentation style puts emphasis and energy on the beginning of sentences — a technique that is coached — but which, without the substance to back it up, can look superficial. However, Davis was more clearly focused on what he wanted to say rather than how he wanted to say it.”

It's style versus substance again.

“If you are not relaxed and being your real self, it is easy to disrupt your balance. You end up playing a role rather than being who you are.

Gravitas is what makes you credible. It is presence, not presentation, that gives you gravitas. Presence is the person while presentation is just the shell. Cameron may have the upper hand in presentation but Davis has greater presence.

To have a real sense of presence you need to be able to just ‘be’ — which Davis manages very well. Cameron does not."

Dimbleby Smack-Down: Round 2

2005-11-20T15:03:00.000Z

The ITV round of the DD/DC hustings didn't really tell us anything new. We DD supporters were confirmed in our man, while DC supporters were confirmed in theirs (eg see the comments on ConservativeHome).

However many hustings we see, we're still left with a choice of one candidate who believes we should make Tory policy commitments and then sell them to the electorate, versus another who believes we should copy the brand leader and hope we can maybe slip in some Tory policy along the way.

There's little in the way of polling evidence to suggest that the latter approach would actually return us to power, but after three defeats, there's no denying many party members are prepared to give it a whirl.

PS For us peasants, watching the two hereditary Dimblebys in action is a reminder of just how inbred the whole politico/media aristocracy actually is. It puts me in mind of a comment posted elsewhere by one "Jack Stone", a notorious DC supporter. Without a trace of irony he says: "If David Cameron is unfit to be this country`s Prime Minister because he went to Eton then surely Prince William is unfit to be its King when he did exactly the same."

Actually, it's possible Jack is a Lib Dem agent provocateur- I can't decide.

Party Neutrality

2005-11-19T17:59:00.000Z

We've surmised right from the start that quite a few of the Party top brass were backing DC. But at least they've observed the usual niceties and ensured that the party maintained a public neutrality.

It seems that the same conventions don't apply to local constituency associations. The official website of Tottenham Conservatives carries a big "Campaign For David Cameron" banner, and the statement:

"Justin Hinchcliffe, Chairman of Tottenham Conservatives, is backing David Cameron's bid to become the new Leader of the Conservative Party. For more information on David, visit : cameroncampaign.org."

We had no idea you were allowed to use official party sites in this partisan way.

Maybe you're not. In which case Justin better get ready to face the disciplinary action he's so keen to see meted out to DD supporters.

PS According to the Enfield Independent, "Mr Hinchcliffe was suspended by party chiefs in 1995 for his outspoken views on the elderly and the unemployed and was the real life inspiration for comedian Harry Enfield's Tory Boy character." A typical DC supporter?

Of Commissions And Cojones

2005-11-19T11:47:00.000Z

From time to time we may have been slightly unkind to Tim Yeo. But this morning he stumbles across a fundamental truth.

He's worried about the environment. And despite being a DC supporter, he's fretting about the Boy Wonder's lack of...well, substance. As you will recall, the latter has promised to set up a cross-party commission to create a consensus on measures to combat climate change, to implement statutory annual cuts in carbon emissions and to create an independent carbon audit office.

Sounded great at the time, but thinking about it some more, Tim's concerned:

"Setting up a commission sounds a tiny bit as though we are going to think of some policies, some of which will be painful, but we aren't going to say what they are just yet. Young people...will be looking for explicit policy commitments. It is not enough to say this is very important and we are going to do better at it than the Government has."

Ah. Well, you see Tim, that's a teensy bit of a problem with your boy.

The trouble with politics...well, OK, leadership, is that it's rather more than simply "trust me- I'll call on the best brains in the land and work out what to do". Most political problems don't have a "correct" technical solution. Climate change is one of them- not only is there still expert disagreement on the causes, but most proposed solutions involve losers as well as winners.

Pensions is another excellent example. Most of us have known for ages that the pension age must be increased, and the longer we put it off, the worse the final disaster will be. But for obvious reasons, no politico wants to be the one giving the good news. So instead, we've had years of reports and commissions as successive "leaders" have sought to pass the parcel. Will spineless Tone implement the leaked Turner Report? Don't hold your breath.

So Tim- well done for spotting the issue. And fortunately it's not too late.

There's still time to switch your allegiance.