The closet radical

21 February 2009

The Spectator on David Cameron's policy platform

When he drops his guard, Mr Cameron is the opposite of cautious. It probably suited him in his first incarnation — rebuilder of the Conservative party — to appear instinctively cautious and untainted by ideological fervour. But now the electorate will be looking at him — in many cases for the first time — as a prospective Prime Minister and, specifically, the leading candidate to steer the nation through what will undoubtedly be dire economic challenges.

Bit by bit, Mr Cameron is assembling a portfolio of policy proposals which could, if enacted with vigour, transform the country. But radical policy papers are not enough. Countenance matters as much as content, especially in an hour of public anxiety. It is time for Mr Cameron to act with the urgency, impatience and authority of a leader in a hurry: a statesman-in-waiting who, on behalf of the country, is banging on the door of Number 10 every day and telling Mr Brown that his time is up.

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wonderfulforhisage

February 19th, 2009 12:53pm Report this comment

You paint him as an 'heir to Blair' as has the Tory party in the past. I've written before that he has Blair's 'don't frighten the horses' outlook, but far from being an accomplished horseman, he's actually frightened of the beasts. He's about as much a 'closet radical' as Dennis Skinner is a 'closet Bullingdonian'.

That's why it will be UKIP for me next time.

Mark Solomon

February 20th, 2009 12:01am Report this comment

Whatever one's doubts about Cameron - caused by his background and him having to imitate Blair following the electoral earthquake of '97 - every one keen to see the back of this morally and financially bankrupt and discredited government should give him the benefit of the doubt.

UKIP is simply a wasted vote - a one issue party trapped in the politics of the past and riven with internal dissent.