There have been lots of “what a year DC has had” features over the last few days, some
gushing and some
scathing.
As with all these things the truth lies somewhere between the two.
Here is my take on DC’s year.
The year has been a very good year for the Conservatives in general and David Cameron in particular.
DC has grabbed the attention of the country and he and the shadow cabinet have driven a number of issues to the forefront of the political agenda.
The local government election results were great, particularly in London, the poll results are better than Labour for the first time in over a decade and the party leader is seen as an asset rather than a liability.
Bed of roses?
Not quite.
The implementation of the “Priority list” and the selection of candidate for Mayor of London have not been slickly executed.
The thing that I take most pleasure from is that DC is criticised for not being 10-15 pints ahead in the polls.
It was not so long ago that I heard some Conservatives saying that we might never be in government again, those same people not only believe that will will form a government but that we should be in a position to win only 18 months after our third political drubbing in a row.
While I don’t and won’t agree with everything DC says and does I thank him deeply for giving back to the party the desire and confidence to win the next general election.
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7 comments:
A good post, I agree with every word.I do also agree with the leader in todays Telegraph where they say that 2007 will be the true test for DC.I wish him all the very best of luck.
"DC is criticised for not being 10-15 pints ahead in the polls."
Pints! Freudian slip james?
It is the shadow foreign secretary who is 10-15 pints ahead.
Drink up David, or you'll look like a right Charlie (or should that be charlie)
Ooooooops
I must have had a few points before I wrote this one.
I think you know my thoughts on Mr. Cameron, James. The true test will be when Gordon Brown becomes PM next year and whether the big clunking fist will indeed shatter a glass jaw...
James,
Who do you advise people with "old fashioned" tory views (on welfare, immigration, Britishness etc) to vote for in the future now that DC has moved the party away from those un-electable stances? UKIP & BNP are such course options.
Paulipoos,
People with "old fashioned" Tory views should continue to vote Conservative.
"Tories" who voted for UKIP cost the Conservatives about 20 seats at the last general election. In a lot of cases ensuring a Eurosceptic Conservative was beaten by a pro European Labour or Lib Dem candidate.
No party can ever cover all the views of all it potential supporters. Also there are only two parties who have a realistic chance of forming a government. If it isn't us it is Labour. That is the real choice.
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