Forget Ed Miliband’s promise of ‘optimism’ – a mantra that became so
repetitive it had me reaching for the Scotch and revolver. Philip Collins has delivered a far more cutting verdict on David Cameron’s obsession with austerity. He writes (£):
‘Conservatives such David Cameron are not philosophers. The question to ask of Mr Cameron is not: what does he believe? It is: what problems does he inherit? Mr Cameron really does just want to fix the roof. The reason he wants to fix the roof is because it’s broken. The value he brings to this task is the insight that it is better to be dry than wet. He’s simple like that.’
There is a Tory philosophy, and it is more substantial than the empty New Generation: betterment through empowerment. As Fraser writes in today’s Times (£), the Conservatives seek radical public service reform that will embolden public service users and professionals against bureaucracy, building on Tony Blair’s tentative offer of choice.
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