When did the Tories become an "alternative government"?

Naomi Muse

Two months ago is pretty late for getting your head in order for an election that is coming up in 4 months. Not sure this admission does the Shadow Chancellor any good at all - makes him look unprepared and a bit of a Johnny come lately

C

Sometimes I think you analyse this stuff too much.

Chuck Unsworth

Oh do come on - "the Tories only made the "leap" in October of this year".

That's not what was said, is it? He talked of a particular 'moment' which 'showed' the mental leap. It does not mean that people weren't thinking about being an 'alternative' before, does it?

oldtimer

After reading the article, I think you have trivialised it. It includes several revealing remarks by Osborne which are very significant for the future, if the Conservatives form the next government. It sounded like a lot of sense to me.

As for anticipating Osborne as Chancellor, Marr almost did just that at the end of his Sunday interview, saying "Thank you Mr Osborne, Ch... (pause) Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer".

Sir Graphus

I would argue that they’ve already become an alternative govt, in the minds of the voter, which ironically accounts for their slide in popularity.

Alan Scott

I think you all need 2 weeks- at least- off, to cool your brains and get some perspective.
Suggest Finland, with plenty of saunas, snow dips and especially whipping with birch branches (not twigs).

Alastair

It must be hard to be a blogger if this is the best story you can come up with.

Why don't you focus on the fact that someone with a house worth £350K is (according to Labour) one of the top 2% richest people in the UK and on David Cameron's Christmas Card list.

Tiberius

While I fully appreciate, Pete, that you Speccie journos don't want to be accused of being Tory cheerleaders, you do sometimes display symptoms of self-loathing.

Lola

For the Tories to have to actually say, and say only recently, that they are an 'alternative government' shows just why they have been out of power for 12 years and just how well the Blair/Brown deceit filleted their self confidence. Had they been at all confident they would have come across as 'The Government' that had somehow, in a temporarily and difficult to understand way, managed to be out of power. I blame this on the Blairisation of their approach to politics and their complete abandonment of freedom and markets (remember Portillo endorsing the minimum wage?) and sound money. They did not stick to the knitting. And now they are having great difficulty going back.

Pete Hoskin

Ok, ok, point taken - not my most incisive post ever. But it has been long, long day, and I wasn't being entirely serious. Apologies.

oldtimer: I did try and nod to the more serious aspects of the piece. But it was mostly either stuff that Osborne has said before, or a bit too hazy to analyse.

Victor Southern

Peter - so how many angels was it that danced on the head of a pin?

strapworld

Well, Cameron is definately suffering from his EU referendum con trick. Populus in The Times tomorrow has the Conservatives below 40% and Labour, unbelievably, on 30%. It proves that you cannot fool the people all the time.

It could be recovered if he promised a IN OUT referendum (To save the City of London and to protect our farmers) immediately upon his winning the election! AND a promise to root out and eject all illegal immigrants.

This country needs a radical leader to get it back working again. Let the farmers produce, and let us be self sufficient once again. Let our fishermen regain our seas. Let our business mena and women show the world how great this country can be agin.

But, as I keep on and on saying, Cameron is no radical and he aint no leader. He is about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. You have got to be honest with people and that man has most certainly not been!

Watt Tyler

This site does not like direct links to certain other sites - so I'll try again:

Dr Richard North, in an article entitled "the silence of the right" is noticing how the Tories are emasculated by their Left-chasing "Leader".

John David Barnett

For Strapworld's analysyis and solution to be believable, there would need to have been an increase in suport for UKIP as a consequence of the referendum decision.

Instead, it is Labour and the Lib Dems who have picked up support.

But why let the facts get in the way of a pet prejudice?

strapworld

J.D.Barnett,You are obviously in the Trevors Den school of supporting a left wing Conservative party whilst wearing rose tinted spectacles when discussing the tories under Cameron! for goodness sake man, I am no supporter of Ukip. I was a Conservative with old fashioned conservative values.But as Richard North points out Cameron is left wing!

Even You cannot deny the fact that since Cameron did his about turn on his cast iron promise the Tories have lost support, in most polls!

Now, I appreciate that the only poll that matters is the general election. But just what does Cameron stand for. Today we are told he is for marriage, yet supports one parent familes and other relationships.He is religious, but does not attend church (so not to offend people?), Has fiddled expenses yet sacks backbenchers and keeps the likes of Maude in his inner cabal and the left winger Letwin 'advises'on policy matters. Goodness me has this man not got ANY firm beliefs.

The support for the tories will keep falling until Cameron shows real leadership and determination. That day, I fear, will never come he is as weak as dishwater.

John David Barnett

Mr Strap World

The Conservatives certainly have lost a little support. But the votes have gone to Labour and the LibDems - it would seem. I suspect that better economic news is the reason, coupled with hostility to the bankers whom many associate with the Tory Party.

(I wouldn't call myself a left winger. I support privatisation, the free market, grammar schools and severe curbs in immigration. I would shed no tears if we left the EU and might even manage a small cheer.)

Calling Cameron a lefist is to misunderstand what he has had to do in order to make the Party electable. But you must know this.

strapworld

Mr Barnett, May I refer you to the Times this morning. An excellent editorial that sums it all up, rather.

If you support much that i do, then how can you support the left wing Cameron and his Blair like administration. A Cabal to run the Country and not a cabinet government!

Sorry, I beg to differ with you. Hopefully it will dawn on you as it has on myself and many others that choosing Cameron was rather like marrying in haste!

John David Barnett

Mr S World

The Times? I haven't looked into Murdoch's comic for years now. I remmeber it when it was a great peper.

I wish you joy of your fantasy world. Sometimes reality can be too much to bear.

Peace.

Norman Dee

The worrying thing is that at the time of Camerons victory, it was against a David Davies who has proved to be a "maverick", and with the subsequent direction of the party and it's leadership it begs the question who else could have done what else? Camerons leadership, and Osbornes support are raising too many uncomfortable questions. So many that the strength of what appears to be a straight forward Conservative victory is very questionable.
On another subject you have dropped 2 valuable contributions from the Librarian, I suggest when you have a sitting government of Terry Pratchett like craziness, a quote from one of his most reverred characters is relevant. OOK

John David Barnett

Regret the typos.

Tiberius

"Calling Cameron a lefist is to misunderstand what he has had to do in order to make the Party electable. But you must know this."

A good summary, JDB. The route Cameron has taken is a difficult, but necessary.

The one thing I am sure of is that if he or any alternative Tory leader had gone the tub-thumping centre-right route, he'd be behind in the polls.

strapworld

Having run it through my programme. It does appear that the writings, and typo's of John david Barnett is yet another Trevors Den alter ego!

John David Barnett

Esteemed Mr S World

In computer usage, the spelling is "program".

I only appear in these august surroundings as myself. I have enough trouble being me without taking on the responsibility of an alter ego.

John David Barnett

Strapworld

I hear that one of the most commonly misspelt words these days is "definitely".

It is with sadness that I see you making into this error. But never mind! Let us all sink our differences and pull together and get good old D.C. into No. 10 where he belongs.