The argument in the Cameron circle about what the government needs to do to get back on course has been the story of this week. As I say in the political column, there’s a divide between those who think that this month’s events have been little more than a bit of mid-term blues, and those who worry that they have revealed serious, structural problems that needs addressing if they are not to cripple the government.
At a meeting of Conservative Cabinet ministers on Wednesday lunchtime, this divide came clearly into sight. Sayeeda Warsi, the Tory chair, asked for a freer rein to attack the Liberal Democrats, complaining that the Tories needed to hit back at the criticisms made of them by their coalition partners, and a string of ministers made it clear that they wanted to see Downing Street become more political.
The revealing thing is that those who spoke up included some of the ministers who are most loyal to Cameron — Eric Pickles who first raised the issue is almost the definition of a loyal trooper. This is not an ideological argument or a threat to Cameron’s authority but a debate about how best to get things done in government.
Having spoken to several people who were at the meeting but did not speak up, two themes have come across strongly. First, there’s a sense that Pickles, IDS, Gove and Clarke were right to say what they did. Out in the departments, they feel they are not getting enough support from Number 10 in dealing with both the Liberal Democrats and the civil service. This problem is going to become more acute now that Steve Hilton, someone who many reforming ministers went to for support, has left Downing Street. Second, they feel that Cameron is not inclined to change things around. He, I’m told, was visibly irritated at the criticisms of his Downing Street operation and was noticeably sharp with Pickles when he first raised the issue.
But Cameron would be wise not to be deaf to their concerns. The criticisms of the way Downing Street is run are not attacks on those who work there but a concern that there are simply not enough political people in the building and that they do not have the authority they need to get things done.
All this discussion about the inner workings of Number 10 might seem a bit SW1. But getting this right is crucial to the government delivering on its ambitious, reform agenda and avoiding some of the pitfalls of the past few weeks.
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