In a pickle?
Peter Hoskin 12:33pm
Iain Martin writes an important piece over at Three Line Whip, in which he reveals that the Cameroons may be turning against Eric Pickles. According to Martin, their beef with the shadow communities secretary is that he took too much of the credit for the Crewe and Nantwich success, and that he's been "grandstanding" ever since. That opinion may even be shared by David Cameron. Here's the bottom line:
"One Tory sage says Pickles may still become the Conservatives' chairman yet if he can get over this rough patch, but then his mood darkens: 'The problem is that when David (Cameron) has made up his mind about someone he rarely alters it. If he has decided to regard Pickles as a terrible show-off and not as much of a team player as he should be then he'll be very difficult to shift in that view. Shame really.'"As that quote suggests, Pickles was regarded as a shoo-in to be the next Tory party chairman. The temptation may now be to stick with Caroline Spelman or to turn to someone like Chris Grayling, who has also been linked with the role.
But there's another way of looking at it. During the Cameron leadership, many of the party chairman's former responsibilities have been handed over to others - George Osborne is in charge of running the general election campaign, Oliver Letwin is in charge of policy review etc. - and the position has lost a lot of its former lustre. In which case, there may be nothing contradictory about Cameron handing Pickles the role, whilst also not being his greatest fan.
P.S. A reminder that Coffee House is holding a Q&A with Eric Pickles. Head here to submit your questions. We'll be picking out the best ten later today.
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Verity
August 12th, 2008 1:17pm Report this commentDavid Cameron is a very small-minded and petty man. I dislike him intensely.
In an emergency, who would you prefer to be a companion - David Cameron or Eric Pickles?
August
August 12th, 2008 1:21pm Report this commentEric Pickles has been in the limelight an awful lot and hasn't really talked about the party or DC much, more about himself and 'his' success in Crew and Nantwich. I personally feel he ran a good campaign with national mood in Conservative favour. Not an exceptional campaign by any means. It should have been pat on the backs all round and then back to the serious business of holding Brown et al to account over the numerous clangers they have and continued to pull.
Helen
August 12th, 2008 1:57pm Report this commentI have to say that although Mr Pickles clearly has qualities, I noticed how he suddenly seemed to be elevated after Crewe.
The last thing the Conservative Party needs now is complacency and Mr Pickles gave off the unfortunate air of that after that by election.
Still, he's not half bad when you look at the Wintertons. Some talent is better than no talent at all, unless shopping a John Lewis is a sign of talent.
TrevorH
August 12th, 2008 2:02pm Report this commentI cannot say I have been aware of any grandstanding by Pickles - maybe he has maybe he has not.
Strikes me Pickles is a good front man and he will be mightily busy in the north during the next election.
Has the Spectator nothing better to gossip about? Is 'Verity' really so desperate to pretend Cameron is small minded etc? How many mobiles has he trashed?
David
August 12th, 2008 2:09pm Report this commentI'm rather unconvinced by anything in the DT regarding internal Tory politics these days. I can't remember the last time they were correct about something they floated. Rosa Prinz is particularly poor.
David
August 12th, 2008 2:20pm Report this commentSo you know him personally do you, Verity?
I don't see the point in taking sides on gossipy stories like this.
Bill Brinsmead
August 12th, 2008 2:32pm Report this commentThe Crewe and Nantwich result was mostly due to the hard work and steady progress achieved by the Crewe and Nantwich Association.
Conservatives had made steady progress to become the largest party on the council - this was the basis and springboard for the bye election success.
Pity that Pickles attempted to claim the credit BUT he did much more in Crewe than the useless Wintertons who represent neighbouring constituencies.
Verity
August 12th, 2008 2:38pm Report this commentDavid - I think he did a good job. He delivered results. That's what counts.
TrevorH - "Is 'Verity' really so desperate to pretend Cameron is small minded etc? How many mobiles has he trashed?" Surely a strange yardstick by which to measure the effectiveness of a politician?
"How many successes has he delivered?" is more apt, I think.
David
August 12th, 2008 2:51pm Report this comment"How many successes has he delivered?" is more apt, I think
20 point lead in the polls, excellent local election and London results, superb by-election results. Yep, top notch, I agree.
Verity
August 12th, 2008 3:25pm Report this commentDavid - I didn't say that was "top notch", so don't so imply by writing "I agree".
To be candid, I think these results have little to do with Cameron and everything to do with the heroic ineptitude and dislikeability of Gordon Brown. Cameron has done little to steer events in the direction of the Tories.
(I am not saying it is a foolish thing to sit back and let the enemy destroy himself. I am saying that Cameron hasn't exactly been the machine behind the Tories' polling successes.)
Sir Buffy de Vere Spoofington
August 12th, 2008 5:43pm Report this commentClearly he has demonstrated appalling judgment if he thought that being the campaign manager entitled him to claim any of the credit instead of a Cameroon. Frightful chap, Pickles. Wrong accent; wrong school. Not our sort at all. Can't think why Young David tolerates him for a moment.
Wilfred
August 12th, 2008 7:09pm Report this commentI think Pickles is a first class asset for the Conservatives. I would like to see him getting more limelight.
Verity
August 12th, 2008 10:12pm Report this commentI watched the Pickles interview on Iain's instant messenger thingy and was very impressed with how quickly his mind works.
He bashed out immediate, assured, - not evasive or with half a dozen get-out clauses - direct answers.
Given that neither he nor Iain had any idea what questions were going to be lobbed through, I was impressed with his quick thinking and his level of assurance.
John Page
August 12th, 2008 10:29pm Report this commentLet him loose on persuading Conservative local authorities to implement as many Conservative policies as possible now, and telling them not to volunteer for Labour wheezes. Too good for the hack job of Party Chairman.
James H
August 13th, 2008 9:27am Report this commentSurely the point is that one does not want to over-promote people who may appear switched on results producers, when in fact the results are mostly down to someone else's hard graft. The tories aren't going to be aided by the sort of person who sucks up misdirected praise. And Verity- I saw him on question time- and he wasn't on the ball. Lots. Of. Ums.
Smith Keighley
August 13th, 2008 5:32pm Report this commentJames H
My recollection of QT was that Pickles answered the questions directly and did not waffle like most politicians. I have found him impressive and self deprecating. I remember reading a lot at the time of C&N of how he praised Stephen Gilbert and the team. The Economist said he was a team player. Sounds like some Cameroons are jealous of a Tory figure who is his own man and does not live in Nottinghill
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