The election speculation has given Cameron an opening

Holly ......

Any chance of the article on another site,about the triple boost for Osborne?

toco

We are all crying out for a decent human being to run the country and if it is a contest between Cameron and Brown I place my trust in Cameron without a shadow of a doubt.

Robert Upfold

This is much better than your earlier jeremiads.

Even honest Labour supporters would concede we are long overdue for a change to release positive energies after years of negativity.

Michael Booth

Well, if he just mentioned the Tory intention to 'restore liberties' and repeal legislation that has restricted the rights of the citizen, I would be thrilled. I'd even vote Tory - at the moment I am minded just to write "I want to be able to vote for none of the above as I believe all three main parties have betrayed the British people" across my ballot paper.

TrevorsDen

It seems the 4Q figures are not as clever as first thought ....

The Telegraphs economics correspondent points out that its only 0.3 as opposed 0.1 because the previous years figure have been revised lower.

Will the TV commentators pick up on it? Will the Tories? Trouble is this is a complex notion for an audience fed a diet of Eastender dross.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/edmundconway/100004040/dont-be-fooled-gdp-was-actually-revised-down/

"The size of the British economy – in other words the total amount of cash generated by its companies and spent by its people – was actually £133m smaller in the fourth quarter than the ONS previously thought."

"Before today’s revisions, it thought the economy pumped out £315,845m worth of output in those three months. Now, it thinks the actual figure was more like £315,712m."

"the ONS ... went back through a whole range of its statistics, and discovered that the recession was in fact significantly deeper than it previously thought. So although in Q4 Britain ended up producing more or less the same amount of cash (actually £133m less ...), it produced even less than was previously thought in the preceding quarters"

So 4Q activity was actually LESS than previously thought. The economy in 2009 actually shrank more than expected/predicted. May I suggest you shout this sad news from the rooftops - since Brown will be busy misleading everyone as usual.

J H Holloway

Quite right, TrevD

The UK economy has climbed slightly higher, but out of a deeper hole than first thought.

We are no further forward at all.

2trueblue

All of Mandys spies must be busy this weekend and I bet all holiday/ weekends have been cancelled in the team so that they can be ready on Monday morning to spin against the Tories.

I hope that Cameron does speak without notes, and continue to do so, as he is impressive when he does so. That said he should be careful not to give too much away to enable Liebore a single idea to develop as their own.

Liebore have shown us that they have no idea about running an economy and this should be a big part of the theme. Every time they get in we get the debt. The Tory government left the finances in great shape and they have been decimated by Liebore, totally and utterly, even before the tsunami hit us. Liebore were so cosy with the very bankers who lead the trail, and then persuaded LLoyds to take over HBOS, and lead Lloyds into destruction. Why are these events ignored by all at present? Our pensions ruined.... we all know the list. Use it Cameron.

Dimoto

Once the election is called, I fully expect some "surprises" on the press front.
Murdoch to declare for Labour (the Sun doesn't report politics, so that gambit to bring Brown to heel and extract some more promises was cheap). Sky TV and the Times have been relentlessly pro-Labour, as is their laughably massaged "daily poll".

Telegraph and Mail to declare neutrality ? I wouldn't be surprised.

The whole media have been subverted and infiltrated by Labour, with the Tories, despite their alleged "superior resources" seemingly powerless to change the balance.

Coulson is more a short-term, gimmicky kind of cove.

denverthen

Finally twigged at the Speccy, have we?

Just remember to remind your pupster firebrand editor, won't you?

Jon Rosenberg

@denverthen: What, to paraphrase your remarks, is wrong with Fraser Nelson being young and passionate? Obviously you put it in far more pejorative terms "pupster firebrand". I can understand disagreeing with his opinions, I do myself from time to time, but I fail to see how youth and passion, in and of themselves, are causes for censure. It would seem to me to discredit your argument, as I understand it, that the Spectator has been overly critical of the Conservatives in recent months. In many ways I agree with that assessment, but to couch it in those terms deflects from the real issues.

Richard

Old "call me Dave" really does look worried in that pic......might make a good poster!

Odds have now been posted on the telly tubbies web site

Cameroon to lose and be kicked out the party to be replaced by Teresa May =6/1

Brown to win = evens

SUSAN HILL

This is make or break time for DC. He has to both go for the jugular, backed up by real facts about redundancies/unemployment, and to present strong simple sound Conservative policies about smaller government, restoring responsibility to individuals, cutting immigration down to zero, traditional education and higher standards of same. He has to shut up about climate change and other green issues, minority rights and women only and other manipulated lists of candidates. And that means SHUT UP.
Only then will the polls start moving in the Tories' favour to any marked degree
I am seriously worried they may lose this election. If they do that this time, they are finished and so are we.

TrevorsDen

Mr Holloway - to be fair (just) to Ms Flanders, she did say on the news that the economy had in fact shrunk more in 2008/9. But I wonder if it sank in.

strapworld

Dimito. Sky like the BBC and all television and radio stations have to be scrupulously fair in their reporting and opinions. They have to give equal time and they will be watched carefully by both major parties believe you me!

I think you will find Murdoch will order the
Times to openly support Cameron.

The Telegraph will try and do an Independent but pressure from their readers may force their hand for the tories.

The Daily Mail will support the Tories Dacre, the editor, will be moved if he does not follow the owners instructions. (Dacre is a personal friend of Brown.)

I have a feeling that the Independent will go through all the manifesto's (as they have always done) and come down on the side of the Tories.

The Guardian will surprise everyone by supporting the Tories.

The Mirror will soldier on until the tories win (if they win) and McGuire will be looking for a new job!

Then because of postal votes Cameron will lose!

abraham

what happened to all that "BIG GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM" stuff? he should go back to that. take 'swingeing cuts' to big government. all of it.

Dimoto

strapworld @
"Sky like the BBC and all television and radio stations have to be scrupulously fair in their reporting and opinions. They have to give equal time and they will be watched carefully by both major parties believe you me!"

Yes, I know the theory, but I'm discussing outcomes. You obviously don't watch much TV (can't say I blame you). ITV is the ONLY balanced TV news service.

As for the prints, we'll see.

I have to say that you are exhibiting typical Tory complacency and insouciance.(wink)

Verity

Strapworld - The Tories should promise that on their first day in power (not that I am holding out any hope) the first order will be to get to work on the Grand Repeal Act, repealing every single, teeny weeny, controlling, over- prescriptive piece of legislation slid in under the Blair/Brown premierships. To the bonfire!

Second would be the disenfranchisement of postal voters, except for the physically disabled for whom getting to a polling station would be a genuine hardship.

Third, before the House rises on the first day, they should announce that Cameron will be smartening up and respecting the voters more by abandoning his ghastly habit of appearing in his shirtsleeves. He will pledge to wear a jacket in public at all times.

Mark Cannon

Now is the time for all those who want Brown & Co out to stop posting and get out canvassing in their nearest marginal. This is too serious to stand on the touchlines. I'm off to Hammersmith,

Those who constantly and consistently snipe at Cameron need to ask themselves whether they can face more years of Brown and acknowledge that UKIP will not win a general election in their lifetimes.

TrevorsDen

Further to my previous comment, The Telegraph is now reporting …

“The pound slid to new lows on Friday after it emerged that an apparent improvement in Britain’s growth late last year disguised the fact that the Office for National Statistics has actually cut its estimate of Britain’s economic output. ”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/7327017/Pound-slides-as-figures-underline-scale-of-UK-recession.html

A four month low.

Despite all the headlines – “the official estimate of the level of economic output in the fourth quarter was actually £133m lower than the ONS’s previous estimate, at £315,712m. The ONS also revealed that the peak-to-trough fall in economic output was, at 6.2pc,”

Is this a scenario to be calling an election on? Just as well we have a prime minister with a brain the size of a planet.

For those who thrill to the words of bona fide economists …
“Andrew Lilico, chief economist at Policy Exchange, pointed out that the lower estimate of GDP would have far-reaching consequences for the public finances. He said: “A political consequence is that, since the economy will now be smaller at the start of the 2010/11 budget year, tax receipts should now be expected to be lower, so the 2010/11 and 2011/12 deficit projections will need to be revised up – perhaps to above £200bn – even if the deficit ends up fractionally down this year. That makes early spending cuts more urgent.” “

djw2009

Cameron's cuts in corporation tax will be funded by reducing complex reliefs and allowances, says the DT. Ah! So: he is not cutting the overall tax take from business overall, just redistributing the way it is collected between business able to exploit those allowances being abolished and those able to do so. As a % of GDP, tax from business will be exactly the same. This is not a cut. It maybe a streamlining. But it is not a cut. Cameron is a fraud.

Herbert Thornton

Mr Forsyth says - "Cameron’s speech is a real chance to show what the Tories are going to fight the election on."

Sadly, a great many voters who have noticed Cameron's tendency to change his stance on anything - like a weathercock following changes in the wind - but who are above all are dismayed by his retreat from the idea of holding a referendum about Britain's relationship with Europe, are going to take whatever he may say in his speech with a large pinch of salt.

Cameron's Tories cannot be relied on to act in the real interests of the British people. That is in stark contrast to the only party which is firmly committed to the preservation of the true character of Britain and of the British people and of their interests - and that is of course the BNP.

denverthen

@Jon Rosenberg

Easy tiger. He's only a couple of years younger than me!

But if that was a joke (that you didn't get, sadly - but I admire your desire to stand up for our thrusting young journalists), Nelson's abject failure to see the bigger picture, and then put that picture first, most definitely isn't.

No ageism there, Mr Touchy. Just the truth.

If we get five more years of Brown even partly thanks to Nelson's utterly self-indulgent, editorial vanity, then, sometime in the aftermath, his time as chief of this magazine should be measured in terms of hours.

djw2009

Tory slogan: Vote for Change. This is a vote loser as it focuses the mind on the fact that there is no change being offered. Cameron is more of the same. More immigration, more multiculturalism, more laws by the EU, more high taxes, more big government. Where's the change?

They say Change is one of the most powerful political messages - but the word itself is not, not unless it is truthful or believable. Barack Obama may have disappointed hopes for change, but many people expected more changes than he has implemented - he has stepped up foreign wars rather than pulling out. AS a black man it was reasonable to think that he would bring some change, so he got the votes. Cameron, as everyone knows, is too timid for real change. CAmeron is throwing the election away.

Fitalass

Sorry, but the presumption that the Tories have had a bad start to the year is actually a Westminster narrative that is not wholly borne out by the facts. The economy, Watt, Rawnsley, Price all going big on the bullying angle, throw in the failed snow plot and I would suggest that Gordon Brown and Labour have not had the greatest 2010!

We have the media focus on the Tory policy feast and the current polls to suggest your assumption has some truth. But both are due to two equally unrelated vacuums in fact, no Labour policies or any sign of the much promised pre GE budget, and add in the way that Labour are now drowning Cameron and the Tories out of the news with good and bad stories. I do wish that you journalists would stand back from the Westminster bubble and start joining up the dots. Remember Mike Smithson's golden rule. You are spinning a bad start to the year for Cameron and the idea of a hung Parliament in the offing. Who needs Coulson or Hilton at CCHQ, you lot really do tend push the direction of travel in the polls in the opposition direction than you intended.

Hung Parliament + wee Gordon Brown media bounce = widening Tory lead. Just my prediction.

strapworld

Dimoto, Having been previously been called a socialist, I thank you for saying I exhibit typical TORY insouciance. My Father lies happy in his grave now!!

I do not wink at men anymore, it caused me no end of trouble in Soho one evening!

Verity. I do support your suggestion of a Grand Repeal Act. It would resonate with the people. But Cameron doesn't listen to the people!

As I will be in your neck of the woods during April and May, I looked into proxy votes. My son said he would vote BNP for my wife and I! I was astounded how easy it is. All on line, no telephone or personal contact. All arranged. It would be so easy for the unscupulous to manipulate. It will be very interesting to note the figures, if they are given, of postal votes and proxy votes.

As regards jackets and ties. The first time the boy has a photograph which shows him sweating will be the time he decides to wear a jacket at all times.

I do expect, should my worst fears be realised and Cameron does become PM, that he will ditch the official car and ride to the commons on his bicycle, surrounded by his protection staff and aides who will also be on bikes. This will revitalise the bicycle industry.

Government Ministers will follow suit,and within a month leaders of commerce will be on bicycles, television and radio journalists will have special satellite adapted bicycles and political correspondents (the lobby lot) will form a bicycle club which will meet every Sunday morning for nice trips to the seaside.

The Liberal Democrats, in an effort to save the world will buy tandems for their MP's. The only problem being the usual that the front one will want to go in a different direction to the rear, plus the awful fact that they would want to know everything about the person on the rear seat before agreeing to the arrangement! After Oaten one cannot be too careful!

Gordon Brown, as leader of the opposition, and a known keep fit enthusiast and banana eater will opt to run everywhere in his lycra shorts and headband. One day he will set off and never come back. He will be the Scottish Forrest Gump.

Of course the Ulster MP's will have specially protected bicycles. The Ulster Unionists will have Red White and Blue bicycles and the Nationalists Green and Yellow bikes.

The Welsh, who are renowned hill walkers- or as they call them around these parts, mountains, will choose to wear hiking boots, long woollen socks, shorts and windcheaters. Plus a woolly hat which will cause the Speaker of the House, Frank Field MP,much consternation.

We will be blessed with a fully fit House of Commons. A House of sharp minds and fit bodies. A House where work for the people will proceed in a friendly manner. The world will be a happier place and everyone will be wearing smiles.

pass the sickbag!

strapworld

The Police have just asked if anyone has seen a Mark Cannon, last seen heading to Hammersmith. Chief Inspector Peel said "It is beyond anyone's comprehension that one would want to go to Hammersmith. This man is in mortal danger, especially wearing his blue suit"

News Flash. The Daily Telegraph have taken out an injunction against Trevors Den (Eric Pickles) for publishing their stories and thus denying them revenue.Should it reach the civil courts it will be a multi million pound claim.

All friends of Trevors Den are asked to contribute to his court costs. To date we have achieved, err, nowt!

stephen

Go for it Dave! Good luck we really need you to sort out the awful mess Brown has left us!

Vulture

@SUSAN HILL:

But if Dave shuts up abt climate change, and minority rights as you request his speech will only last abt two minutes : what on earth will he do for the remaining time - whistle the Eton Boating Song?

But seriously, Conservatives - and anyone who values freedom and democracy - now have a clear duty. To vote Bruin and Liebour out by any means available - and that will usually mean voting Tory, even if that means voting Dave.

Then, if the election is won, and we are rid of mad Bruin and his malicious rabble we can begin the process of ridding ourselves of deluded Dave and his.

If the election is lost, he's toast anyway.
And so will Britain be.

Holly ......

It's Gordon Brown for me.
He wears a suit 24/7.
Pointless comments about pointless things.
He wears a suit & tie in the commons & in TV interviews.Casual when 'off duty'.
That's the middle.
No more needed & no more expected.

TrevorsDen

I do not carry the excess baggage of Eric.

Strapworld seems intent on shooting the messenger. A popular pastime.

Personally I do not see the same Cameron as his critics. All the talk of 'changing policies' and 'no policies' is just a load of self hypnosis. He is too left wing for me, but so is most of the British population.

The sounds I hear quite frankly are the sounds of self justification for voting UKIP in the knowledge that it will mean the return of a Brown govt.

strapworld

At least Trevors Den (Pickles) will be entitled to be able to put the DONT BLAME ME I VOTED TORY on his bicycle.

Verity

Holly writes re Cameron, in response to me: "He wears a suit & tie in the commons & in TV interviews.Casual when 'off duty'."

Giving speeches and attending meetings is "off duty"? Well, I declare! Shirt and tie is not casual. It's gross. It's a pantomime of talking down to the audience. "I'll make you feel comfortable! I won't wear a jacket, just like you little people." The thing is, most men, unless their employment dictates otherwise, wear a jacket and tie to work.

He doesn't even have the excuse of being in a tropical climate where such attire is acceptable on some occasions.

"No more needed & no more expected." Well, to each his own, Holly. But I expect an aspirant Prime Minister to dress like a Prime Minister. It kind of gives us a clue that he understands the importance, and formality, of the position.

Cameron understands perfectly well the message that clothes provide. Remember the parka? And given that he understands, we can conclude that he is talking down to his audience. Prat.

Verity

I think, given that I had had only one sip of my first cup of tea when I posted, that I have misreplied to Holly. She was referring to Brown, I see on rereading her post. My apologies to Holly.

My comments on Dave still stand, though.

Paddy

Please don't let us down Cameron.

Save us from the thugs in Downing St.

2trueblue

Verity, get with the program, we need to get rid of Brown. Try commenting on Brown/Balls/Mandy/The 2 Millies/Hattie/Straw. We all know that you hate Cameron and that you are wasting that great brain commenting on him. It simply feeds your negativity. The real enemy is Brown, give us something on that.

Chuck Unsworth

@ Verity

"My comments on Dave still stand, though."

Not only do they stand, they are repeated ad nauseam.