The people will make it happen
David Blackburn 5:32pm
Cameron’s speech might have lacked flair, but it was a brilliant rhetorical exercise. He cast himself into the distant future and reflected on his premiership. He saw a society that had paid its way back from the brink of collapse by rationing excess and embracing austerity. He saw a society that was flourishing, where the poorest attended the best schools, where people were empowered to work hard and were rewarded for doing so. Returning to the sombre present he said: “It will be a steep climb. But the view from the summit will be worth it.”
But this rhetorical tour de force was inspired by a substantial philosophical argument. Cameron’s vision saw the State diminished to subservience. Lincoln’s axiom that government should be for the people and by the people inspired each element of Cameron’s speech. Government is, was and ever shall be the root of this nation’s problems; the way ahead is to nurture the collective responsibility of individuals in communities and families. He personalised this ambition by talking of his own family. Though the State would help those who cannot help themselves, Cameron’s future talks of Society, not the State: “When we look back, we will say that it was you who made it happen”.
The claim that Cameron is bereft of substance is erroneous. He presents a clear choice between the officious State and the empowerment of the individual, with its connotations of liberty and responsibility. That principle guides Cameron’s One Nation Toryism and inflects all of his thought - on education, welfare reform, economics, reforming the political system, everything.
As he stood behind a lectern, speaking with intensity and seriousness, Cameron projected that principle to an audience beyond the hall and the Westminster Village; the contrast with the partisan insularity of Clegg and Brown was telling. There were blemishes, notably on the NHS and the lamentable appearance of Bono, but this was an audition to be Prime Minister from a man who stands for more than just himself. I would be amazed if he does not succeed.
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Thomas Cussans
October 8th, 2009 6:26pm Report this commentYou would need to be either properly dim or unthinkingly a supporter of McManiac – and about as partisan as him – not to recognise that this was a speech that was heart-felt, coherent and exceptionally well delivered. There was no posing. There were no cheap sound-bites. There was no more playing to the gallery than the inevitable pressures of a party conference demand.
Above all, it made sense. This is a point that can scarcely be stressed enough. It was not a list of Gordo-style lies. It was not Mandlestone hamming it up. It was not the kind of petty, pointless point-scoring that even the most worthy Labour drone has been reduced to.
It was a proper statement of a serious political agenda.
Compare and contrast: Gordo sweatily lying through his teeth last week; Cameron being straight today.
It was impressive because it was true.
Hugh
October 8th, 2009 6:40pm Report this commentWe are lucky to have such a man, and his wife, willing to shoulder the burden of recovery from the Brown/Blair years.
Let us not forget it.
Irene
October 8th, 2009 7:27pm Report this commentI thought he was brilliant.
chris as usual
October 8th, 2009 8:18pm Report this commentLet us hope that my local reactionary Tory party can bring themselves to mention David Cameron's name at party get-togethers.
When he first became leader all they could do was slag him off, then two years later it got much better - they didn't slag him off - they just ignored him altogether!
I've been telling them they don't deserve him, so they hardly speak to me either.
The change is by no means complete.
Meanwhile, well done DC! I suspect there will be a lot of people in the constituency who will vote for him who are NOT members of the party.
IanB
October 8th, 2009 8:31pm Report this commentOK, Dave, you've got my vote - but please spare us Bono!
Euphorbia Bean
October 8th, 2009 9:14pm Report this commentCandid Cameron - it's time he took over.
Anne Wotana Kaye
October 8th, 2009 11:14pm Report this commentIt doesn't matter how brilliant or how dull Cameron's speech was, unless he gets rid of Osborne I fear he is doomed. Tonight, I listened to Osborne droning away on Question Time, saying over and over "We are all in this together." Sorry, old boy, that World War II propaganda didn't even last for the six years the war took. The rich were in the position to send their children off abroad if they wished, and to dine in Claridges or the Ritz. Their wives didn't have to try and cook spam or whale meat, and whilst clothes rationing was a nuisance, somehow there was always a way for the rich girls to avoid painting pencil lines up their legs in imitation of stockings. Osborne spoke of how a pay freeze will enable many not to lose their jobs. Seriously, does Joe Bloggs care if his neighbour is in work or on the dole, is he prepared to sacrifice out of his own pay packet for someone else? Both Labour and the Tories speak of extending the time before pensions can be claimed. This is excellent in theory, but Britain is the most ageist of countries, and I can see people still in their fifties (and forties) being shed and finishing up on benefits. Women especially, will suffer. No, Cameron, you spoke well, even if I found it subjective and distasteful, many love to emote and hear of the personal sorrows of their leaders. You spoke well, playing on the heartstrings of a desperate audience, but unless you get rid of Osborne, and remove him quickly, you may miss your chance to become the next prime minister.
Amadeus Plonquer
October 9th, 2009 12:03am Report this commentGood solid stuff. But what I don't understand is what all of this has to do with the (admittedly great) Irish entertainer, Mr Bozo.
Two weeks ago Bozo gave Gordon Brown the award for being the Greatest Human Being Ever to Live. Now he's backing David Cameron?
Next his band will change its name to U-turn. And the guitarist will change his name to The Hedge.
As always you can count on Mr Bozo for a good laugh. Solid entertainment....
Tiberius
October 9th, 2009 12:37am Report this commentDavid; you might find yourself having to defend the first sentence of your third paragraph rather vigorously in due course...
J R Hartley
October 9th, 2009 9:20am Report this commentHe absolutely nailed it - it was pitch perfect and authentic. Labour have no-one who can lay a hand on him in this form.
When Will "non-job for life" Straw is wheeled out to critique it on Sky then you know that you've had a good day at work....
Election please.
Vulture
October 9th, 2009 9:28am Report this commentPeople's memories are very short. It's less than fifteen years since the country fell hook, line and sinker for a plausible, smooth-talking family man with a fistful of platitudes and vagueries, and with no discernible principles or policies whatsoever.
There is one very good reason to vote for the 'heir to Blair' (in reality just another purveyor of hot air) and only one: he is the only practical way of delivering us from the near-criminal, malevolent, incompetenent despotism of Bruin and Liebour.
Even Dave cannot be worse - but don't let anyone fool you into thinking he's any kind of Conservative.
chris as usual
October 9th, 2009 10:02am Report this comment@Vulture
What do you mean by "don't let him fool you into thinking he is any kind of Conservative"?
Do you disapprove of his speech?
If you look at my comment earlier re this post - you are sounding like the party member. I must admit I don't get it. Who would you like in charge?
Vulture
October 9th, 2009 10:26am Report this comment@Chris: 'Who would you like in charge?'
Any of the following would do.
1) William Hague
2) Liam Fox
3) Patrick Mercer
4) Richard Dannett
All are strong men of firm and fixed principle.
At least one of these four has told me privately that Cameron is a PR man who - very much like his idol Blair - can polish a few soundbites but has no real principles or policies. His speech was a vague pink mist of sweet FA.
Britain is facing an almost existential economic and cultural crisis.
We need a hard nut to crack it.
Dave has all the solidity of a bowl of custard.
Tiberius
October 9th, 2009 11:47am Report this commentYou're wrong about Cameron's personality, Vulture, and Bruce Anderson and Charles Moore amongst others have written pieces which would confirm it.
Cameron has all the qualities of the four men you list. The key difference, though, is that enough people will vote for him as PM and allow to get rid us of Labour.
frank goddard
October 9th, 2009 12:33pm Report this commentVulture:
You talk absolute rubbish!!!
Camerons speach was excellent,the difference being between Bliar and him,In 1997 you knew Bliar was a con man/liar,but this man Cameron is not.But as one or two have said,the main question is,"WHO DO YOU WANT AS THE NEXT PM, BROWN, OR CAMERON"??? After the two speach's Cameron won hands down.
Frank G...English pensioner
Vulture
October 9th, 2009 1:49pm Report this comment@Tiberius
I find your blind faith in Cameron touching, Tib, and I should be interested to hear the evidence on which it is based.
The two journalists you mention are known for their slavish loyalty to whoever happens to be Tory leader at any given moment. Charles Moore was equally full of praise for Thatcher, Major, Hague, IDS and Howard in their turn - so I wouldn't attach too much weight to his judgement.
I prefer to rely on the opinions of people ( such as Tory MPs) who have seen the Cam clique in unlovely close-up : its secrecy (disastrously revealed by the hapless Grayling's gaffe); its snobbery; its Bliar-like concern for spin over substance.
When Cameron has acted, as opposed to spoken, he has made one boob after another: hug a hoodie; hug a huskie; jet off to Rwanda as your constituency floods; put up a rich Green loon like Zac Goldsmith as a Tory candidate; sack good Tories but keep cronies like Maude in situ etc etc.
If Hague were leader now he would beat Liebour handsomely - he allowed himself to lead too early. And he has a devastating wit that leaves Dave standing. I for one hope for Hague's second coming after Dave f***s up. As believe me, he will.
Verity
October 9th, 2009 2:05pm Report this commentFrank Goddard, your question was addressed to Vulture, but this being a free for all, I'll elbow in. You ask: "WHO DO YOU WANT AS THE NEXT PM, BROWN, OR CAMERON???"
They're both inept and disconnected from ordinary people - for different reasons, but neither is a leader. I would therefore vote for Brown because then we'd be rid of the egregious Cameron. I see both Cameron and Blair as the lead salesman on the floor of the Jaguar showroom in Beverly Hills.
Tiberius
October 9th, 2009 2:18pm Report this commentVulture: the only blind faith I have ever suffered from is that one day Wolverhampton Wanderers would win the Premiership.
We shall have to agree to differ on all points about Cameron.
Holly
October 9th, 2009 5:51pm Report this commentLook at it this way...who do we want...
Brown, Mandelson, Balls, Straw, Milliband 1 & 2, Burnham,Bradshaw, Harman,oh I nearly forgot Darling & Cooper.
OR
Cameron, Hague,IDS,Gove,Clark,Fox,May,Grieve
& Osborne?
Cameron may well be the 'PR' man to Brown/Mandelson,so ignore them and look at the 'back up'.
Never heard of the Tory lot? Shame on you.
This is your country you know...take interest in it...this will be on your grand childrens history paper.How will you help them with their homework?
pravda man
October 11th, 2009 2:06pm Report this commentI think I can guess the Tory MP that said Cameron is a PR man and has no real principles. Patrick Mercer when asked if David Cameron is a man of principle responded with a two finger sour grapes gesture.
Who in their right mind would want Mercer in charge, it’s one controversy after another with that man; presently it’s with Tim Ireland and it doesn’t look good.
Dave had solidity and vigour when he dealt with the Mercer scandal that caused outrage and only the disloyal or misinformed (solidity of a bowl of custard) or friends of Patrick Mercer want him to fail in the great and important task of rebuilding this all but broken country. All I am saying is give him a chance!
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