The Tory task 

Martin Ivens has a fantastic column in The Sunday Times about what the Tories need to do this week in Birmingham.

“Their task is to meld two seemingly contradictory messages into a seamless whole. First, they must steal two favourite words from Brown’s old lexicon, prudence and stability, and attach them to their own economic plans: a reassuringly small-“c” conservative message is required. Secondly, they have to offer a radical agenda of change in the public services. The charge that nobody knows what the new, slick Conservatives stand for can’t be allowed to stick.”

The Tories need a set of promises that the voters understand akin to New Labour’s 1997 pledge card. It is good to see the Tories pushing their transformative schools policies. But they need a message on other public services as well. The Tories can’t continue to be satisfied with their ‘not there yet’ position on health.

One other point that Martin makes is that Cameron needs to rebalance his front bench. As he puts it,

“Cameron misses a larger-than-life figure who appeals to council-house Britain and northern voters. The loss of David Davis, who resigned as shadow home secretary to spend more time with his ego, is still felt. Davis promised to hug a hoodie very hard indeed: his replacement, the bright Dominic Grieve, looks as if he still hugs a teddy.”

Once Brown has reshuffled, Cameron should look to further strengthen his front bench. Now is the time to bring the big beasts back and to promote the most able of the 2005 intake.