Cameron's next test
11:08pm
As Matt, Fraser and Tim Montgomerie have all argued things are looking up for Project Cameron. Peter Riddell in Wednesday’s Times is more cautious but he still thinks that “Cameron and the Tories are no longer retreating” which is progress considering how Brown has swept all before him these past few months. But if this momentum is to be maintained, David Cameron will have to show great political skill in handling the forthcoming John Gummer and Zac Goldsmith-authored policy review on the environment.
Already word has leaked out that they are proposing a halt to all airport expansion in the UK. This is a barmy idea and is sure to spark off a firestorm of protest: Iain Dale has already blown a gasket. If this proposal is indicative of the general tenor of the report then the leadership will have a real problem on his hands.
If Cameron kicks the whole thing into touch, Labour and, especially, the Lib Dems will seize on the opportunity to denounce Cameron as a greenwash merchant who isn’t really serious about all this environmental stuff after all. But if Cameron decides to endorse its more radical ideas then he could be stuck with a bruising fight with large sections of his own party and right-wing opinion just when he seemed to have finally put ‘grammar gate’ behind him.
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Comments
Simon
August 29th, 2007 8:57amYes,this will be a geniune problem but I am sure Dave will rise to the challenge. Might be time to give Dale & Montgomergery & the headbangers something to moan about again thro. By the way being the keen student of politics you are you will know that the Tories went up in the polls after the Grammar school saga.
Perry
August 29th, 2007 11:27amNo problem at all for accomplished politicos, - just stick to the point; highlight and argue solid pragmatic issues. No fudging the points, - and attack head-on the “want me cake ‘n eat it” brigade. But Gummer? . . . not sure that guy is credible – tend to associate him with silly smirk ‘n ‘amburger.
The Laughing Cavalier
August 29th, 2007 12:31pmGoldsmith is so rich that he will be able to insulate himself from the costs, the consequences, and the inconveniences of his recommendations. If the leaks are correct the whole thing is downright bonkers.
Michael St George
August 29th, 2007 1:07pmOnly someone with a political death-wish would procure a policy review on the environment from John Gummer and Zac Goldsmith. For all you need to know about either, read the excellent entries on them in James Delingpole's wonderful book How To Be Right. Prediction: Having painted himself a soft shade of green, Cameroon will now find himself between a rock and a hard place, and will make an absolute pig's breakfast of this politically. I hope that I'm wrong, but fear that I shall be right.