I've just read Quentin Davies' resignation letter, handed to David Cameron yesterday as the veteran Tory MP jumped ship and joined Labour.
Mr Davies has been at odds with much of Dave's policy from the get go and has been in talks with Gordon Brown, we hear, for months. His defection, along with his public letter of resignation are expertly timed and executed. For a brief period Mr Davies will enjoy the spotlight and his very own sprinkling of Labour fairy dust. Gordon may not be the consummate showman that Blair was but as ever it's the quiet ones you've got to look out for. In reaching out to the liberals last week and helping to orchestrate Mr Davies' very public transition, patient Gordon is showing himself to be as politically savvy as his predecessor, with a nasty Machiavellian streak and the determination to annihilate the Tories.
How fast can you dance Dave?
Davies' letter comes across as almost childish, a personal attack on Mr Cameron, couched in one-sided bluster. Though I strongly agree with Davies' general sentiment - that the Conservatives are failing to send out a clear policy manifesto - I do not think that that the party has lost faith in itself or its leader. David Cameron appears committed to giving the Tory party its much needed make over, both inside and out. It's ironic that whilst Labour concentrates on tearing off the facade of the Blair years, the Conservatives are still trying to get cuddly with voters but why should this approach be ridiculed? Our social memory still views the Tories as the outmoded "hang 'em and flog 'em" party, Dave and his cronies have been working hard to catch up with Labour in the spin stakes, who can blame them? As for policy, the Tory line on social cohesion, public services and devolution is sound however their foregn policy and budgeting is anyone's guess.
I take this opportunity to wish both Mr Brown and My Blair well in their new lives. I look forward to a referendum soon.
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I wouldn't hold much hope for a referendum. As for the Brown / Cameron battle I think it will be very close as the latest polls apparently show. Rumour has it that they have about a year to convince the public who to vote for. I guess Brown has the slight advantage as he will be able to choose the date for the election.
I know, I was being sarcastic... ;)
I also think we should get a chance to vote on Europe, which is not going to happen...:(
As for who's the most popular, in theory the longer Gordon leaves it, the more his popularity will wain...but its early days and I look forward to the next PMQs and seeing Gordon in action over the coming week. Hopefully he will not disappoint.
You are so cordial, with your well wishes!
I've never understood why so many people want to try and win elections from the centre! Margaret Thatcher and John Major both managed to win huge majority by offering a right of centre alternative, a real choice. This is what worries me about Cameron, no real conviction, no real beliefs, no real policies (yet) no real choice.
There is no disgrace in being a conviction politician, which I fear Mr. Broon is.
Curly's Corner Shop, the blog!
Curly: Heh, some would argue that Labour have been centre right for the past five years...Poor old Dave, he's stuck in the middle of the ongoing culture of political "change" - he has to look appealing and look to be changing his party (just like Brown I might add), which to be fair, he is...There is some policy there but not enough...
Absolutely, its a shame that the upper echelon Tories are doing their upmost to shy away from their right wing roots - however right wing won't win them the sheer number of votes they need I'm afraid...
Yep, My Brown certainly has conviction, he's been building up to this role for over a decade and he will attempt to do it (publically) by the book - determined dullard that he is...eh, we'll see...
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