The party chairmanship just got a lot more attractive
James Forsyth 5:45pm
Ever since the Parliamentary Commissioner began his inquiry into Caroline Spelman she has been in an odd political limbo land, neither sacked nor acquitted. Now, Sam Coates reports that we might not know the commissioner’s verdict until the New Year.
One thing that has changed during the inquiry is the desirability of Spelman’s job. A few months ago the party chairmanship was a much diminished role, there was even talk that some shadow cabinet members wouldn’t take it as they considered the job to have become pretty much meaningless. This was an understandable point of view. George Osborne was doing the party’s political strategy, Andrew Feldman was running CCHQ and Lord Ashcroft was in charge of target seats. But now, Osborne has cut back on his strategy role, Feldman has been damaged by the bad judgment he displayed during the Deripaska affair and you wouldn’t bet against the Lord Ashcroft’s tax status becoming a major issue before the next election. Someone who was not operating under the cloud that Spelman is, could take this opportunity to expand the power and portfolio of the role considerably.
I still think that the Tories need to use the role to balance out their top team. Team Cameron would also be well advised to pay attention to David Davis whose New Statesman interview and speech at the Spectator awards yesterday suggest a desire for publicity and a willingness to make a little mischief. As LBJ said, “It’s probably better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.”
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TGF UKIP
November 14th, 2008 6:53pm Report this commentNo way is DD going back into the Cameron shambles. He got out because he wanted to be nowhere near the controls when the train wreck happens.
Will he hose the sods down like he should? I doubt it. A little mischief and a marking out of clear blue water will probably be the limit of his indulgence ready for when the Conservative Party is forcibly returned to its senses which may be rather sooner than many people think.
luke
November 14th, 2008 8:19pm Report this commentDavid Davis has long thought Cameron would never make him home sec. He always suspected a moment of strength he would get moved.
Im pretty sure he will now hang on for govt job, rather than take something in opposition which would bind him in.
strapworld
November 14th, 2008 10:38pm Report this commentCameron is no leader. He is no strategic thinker.
Anyone can see that the next general election will be very dirty. Therefore to act holier than thou and carry on with a weak team will lead to certain defeat.
David Davis is needed NOW as his John Redwood and the cull of his weak team, starting with Maude and Osborne should start now.
But I will not hold my breath.
David
November 14th, 2008 10:48pm Report this comment"David Davis has long thought Cameron would never make him home sec."
You can read minds now can you, Luke? Because there is absolutely nothing on record which even suggested that. In fact, it is known that Davis got on far better politically with Cameron than he ever did with Michael Howard.
Tiberius
November 14th, 2008 10:58pm Report this commentA very charitable take, TGF, but Davis quit because he is rather vain and was uncomfortable with Cameron's success.
Nevertheless he would be a good party chairman. The risk for Cameron though would be a second silly flounce for Labour and the BBC to pick the bones of.
luke
November 15th, 2008 2:20am Report this commentI have spoken with Davis about it a few times, well prior to his resignation from the cabinet.
He didnt seek to hide that view particularly in the immediate aftermath of his leadership election defeat.
albert son of a gypsy
November 15th, 2008 8:18am Report this commentIn any other organisation an allegation as serious as that levelled at Spelman, would have resulted in ,at least, suspension, an honourable resignation 'to clear one's name' or, indeed,, a sacking.
Cameron has not done anything. Loyalty is a pleasant quality but the Conservative Party must come first. Cameron has put himself above the party and brought discredit upon himself.
I would prefer Eric Pickles to be Chairman and David Davis to be Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and I would like to see just how much steel Cameron has.
Lets face it. IF he does not have the courage to sack Spelman and the under performing and ineffective Osborne NOW it means that they will be 'untouchable' and that spells D A N G E R for Cameron.
How anyone can support the back stabbing, disloyal Osborne is simply beyond me!
Kevyn Bodman
November 15th, 2008 11:01am Report this commentDavid Davis quit because he didn't trust Cameron to be sufficiently robust in the defence of civil liberties.
Davis was right in his judgement and right to resign his seat and fight the by-election over 42 day detention.
The Wilted Rose
November 15th, 2008 12:47pm Report this commentI do hope Caroline will stay as Party Chairman, and the attack on her earlier this year highlights the misogynism of politics and the media. I believe that the standards commissioner will give a fair ruling which will vindicate Mrs Spelman. So there will be no vacancy for Party Chairman.
I agree with Lord Kalms that David Davis should be appointed Shadow Chancellor, but then I was one of the first to suggest this appointment before the summer.
Cameron on society and Davis on the economy and on civil liberties would a dream team that would obliterature Brown, Darling, Lord Mandy et al.
Tom FD
November 16th, 2008 1:10am Report this commentI think the way the Tories have (rightly in my opinion) attacked Gordon Brown for having a part-time Defence Secretary, it would be consistent for them to require the Shadow Chancellor to restrict his (or her) focus to that single job, given that on becoming Chancellor he will have the most difficult and intensive job in government untangling Brown's disasterous squandering of the last eleven years.
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