The Spectator's notes
The Spectator's notes
Charles Moore on the events of the week
Damocles was the courtier who told Dionysius the tyrant that his happiness was complete. Dionysius ordered Damocles to his banquet and sat him under a sword suspended by a single hair for the whole of dinner. I hope David Cameron is doing the same to any adviser who shows Damoclean tendencies. It is absolutely true that the Tories have done well, and that their leader has done better than any of them. This is the first time since John Major won the election of 1992 that any Tory leader has passed the second big test in his role (the first being to become leader at all). But almost all the volatility in the polls in the past fortnight was Tory volatility. Labour support remains steady, and at a level which, if replicated on the day, would still win Labour the election. The rise in Tory support comes mainly from the Liberals. Mr Cameron has worked quietly but hard to achieve this, but now there is time for the party to get rid of Ming Campbell. Clegg — or even perhaps Huhne — versus Cameron would be a tougher contest for the Tories. And Labour’s one success in its grotesque game this month has been to smoke out some Tory policies earlier than Mr Cameron wanted. So no, it’s not ‘jolly gloating weather’.
More articles from: Charles Moore | this section
Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
Advertisement
The leader we need
The Spectator on the need for resolute leadership
Politics
Fraser NelsonFraser Nelson reviews the week in politics
The Spectator's Notes
Charles MooreCharles Moore's reflections on the week
Diary of a Notting Hill Nobody
Tamzin Lightwater
Tamzin Lightwater's unique take on the week
The Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards
Your nominations for the Readers' Representative award
A novice with the right ideas
The Spectator on Gordon Brown's conference speech in Manchester
Politics
James ForsythJames Forsyth reviews the week in politics
Politics
Fraser Nelson
Fraser Nelson reviews the week in politics
Politics
Fraser NelsonFraser Nelson reviews the week in politics
Relax, comrades: David Miliband is Blairesque, rather than Blairite
Matthew d'AnconaMatthew d'Ancona reviews the week in politics
Latest blog posts
sponsored links
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus or sky hd.
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus...
ROME CENTRE
PORTA METRONIA, ROME Standing high on the top of one of the seven hills of Rome- the Coelian- this unique
City Breaks. ROME and PARIS
ROME and PARIS: over 350 holiday rentals apartments listed: visit www.romanreference.com and www.parisreference.com or call +39 0648 903612.
Jewellery. RUFFS (Estd. 1904).
Goldsmiths by Design Welcome to Ruffs! You have found a company of Goldsmiths that specialises in the manufacture, amongst other
Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine
Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms
Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP
All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved
Joe Sobey
October 22nd, 2007 6:18pmWas the night of the great storm a Friday? Can't think why I went into work the morning after if it was!