An Old-Fashioned, Modern Government

Friday, 28th May 2010

In some senses, and for all its reforming zeal, this is something of a throwback government. David Cameron's own views and preferences have, I think, mellowed with time to the point that he is now in some respects the kind of Tory who might not have been altogether out of place in the era of Harold Macmillan. Something similar might be said of Nick Clegg. Again, Liberal Unionists for the win.

And then, of course, there's the man of the moment, David Laws. The new Chief Secretary to the Treasury is the fastest-rising star in this young ministry. How pleasing it is to come across this kind of thing in today's much-linked Guardian profile:

"Laws is an unreconstructed 19th-century Liberal" said [Malcolm] Bruce. "He believes in free trade and small government. Government should do the job only government can do. There's no point in having large public sector if the users of the public services are getting poorer. But he specifically made the point in the house [on Wednesday] that his economic liberalism is tempered by his social liberalism."

[Paddy] Ashdown describes it as "a liberalism of the mind, not the heart".

Another long-standing friend puts it as follows: "There are four ways in which Liberals are liberals: economic liberals, political liberals, liberal in personal life and social liberals. To me, he is a complete Liberal. He is one of the few people who ticks all the boxes."

Refreshing! Also, alas, rare. And yet also the kind of talk that leaves one with an unusual, mildly discombobulating sensation: optimism.

Filed under: Britain (737 more articles) , Cameron (227 more articles) , ConLib (132 more articles) , David Laws (58 more articles) , Liberalism (38 more articles)

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Ben G

May 28th, 2010 6:11pm Report this comment

He'll also be one of the stars of the new Liberal Conservative party when it comes. I hope.

Michael Sweeney

May 28th, 2010 9:53pm Report this comment

Agreed. Yesterday I heard Ian Duncan Smith speak of sticking with simplified reforms rather than rapid chopping and changing. Suddenly, Labour's way of governing looks immature and a little unhinged.

Snowman

May 29th, 2010 12:04am Report this comment

The words seem to resonate well with the political watchers anyway, let’s just wait for the deeds. There will come the time when this complete liberal will be tested, and only then we’ll be able to judge whether the outcome of his admirable liberal policies match the hopes and aspirations of the great unwashed.