Three weeks ago, James argued that the Tories’ incoherence emanated from their disjointed campaign management. Steve Hilton, Andy Coulson, George Osborne and George Bridges were not communicating and the stark clarity on the economy and ‘Broken Britain’ was obscured.
James urged the Cameroon duma to put its house in order. Cameron heeded some of his advice, but this morning brings the most significant change. Tim Montgomerie reports that Andy Coulson and Steve Hilton have at last joined forces and will report direct to George Osborne, who will be replaced by Ken Clarke as the Tory’s economic face.
That that this is news reveals the utter chaos that ruled the campaign; but, as they say, better late than never. Much now rests on the Coulson, Hilton and Osborne triumvirate. The signs are that the pusillanimity of recent weeks will give way to boldness, as the Tories seek to provide a viable alternative to Brown. George Osborne’s Mais lecture marked the beginnings of a return to a more aggressive cuts strategy, leant vicarious weight by Nick Clegg’s insistence on £10bn of upfront cuts. In response to the Ashcroft debacle, the Tories will attack Labour’s antediluvian and sinister reliance on the Unions. Cameron will play it straight with voters, in contrast to Brown’s dithering and shiftiness. If this combined strategy is realised, conviction will have replaced brand politics.
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