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Is David Cameron 'Built to Last'?

  • Newsnight
  • 16 Aug 06, 06:30 PM

cameron203.jpgOr is he destined to fail like Michael Howard, Iain Duncan Smith and William Hague before him?

On the day Dave unveiled the final version of his document outlining his vision for the future of the Conservative Party, Newsnight will be examining the Cameron revolution. Is DC laying the foundations of a bright Conservative future? Or is he just a wolf in sheep's clothing, all spin and no substance? Can a party of the right really prioritise the environment and the health of public services above tax cuts?

What do you think?

You can watch the report and debate - with Shadow Education Secretary David Willets - here.

Comments  Post your comment

  • 1.
  • At 07:01 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Scott wrote:

More mistakes ...

The "Built to Last" document was not the "final version" of as you suggest, but the "final draft". These two things are different.

Just like earlier in the week where Mr Barron (/blogs/newsnight/2006/08/which_side_are_you_on.html) believed that a poll question asking "How would you rate the US and British government's performance in the (Israel/Lebanon) crisis?" was the same as asking whether Britons supported the governments position/policy on the Hezbollah-inspired crisis. These two things are different too.

  • 2.
  • At 07:01 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Stephen Jones wrote:

I like your question. Can a party of the right really prioritise the environment and the health of public services above tax cuts?

Well to date labour has failed so to do. Let's hope Cameron can deliver where Blair has failed.

Sorry to be picky Scott (2) but shouldn't that be "another mistake" singular? Although I'd dispute that it's a mistake.

The Conservatives' own website calls it a final version:

The Built to Last document is more detailed and specific than the draft paper published earlier in the year. This follows feedback from members, which included calls for a more specific explanation of how Conservative beliefs such as freedom, opportunity and responsibility are part of the modern Conservative Party's mission, resulting in the final version being expanded to include references to the Party's overall policy direction as set out in recent speeches and other announcements.

But clearly we've got to watch our step in this blogging game.

(;

Peter

  • 4.
  • At 09:51 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Keith Donaldson wrote:

Some bits I like 鈥 the Bill of Rights and reduced bureaucracy, for instance. But, let鈥檚 take the environment and public services specifically. Nothing about renewable energy sources and nuclear power and what there is about carbon emissions is rather watery. As to health services 鈥 how do you avoid the post code lottery without central direction when Health Boards and Authorities determine their own priorities, not always adhering to the same frameworks? I see the Marie Antoinette, 鈥淟et them eat cake,鈥 focus on 鈥檆hoice鈥 in the Health Service is still there 鈥 as always it remains a smoke screen, behind which politicians, both Labour and Conservative hide from the fact that demand and expectations of health care have long since outstripped available resources in the NHS. Labour was all for a renaissance of the voluntary sector too, but too many valuable initiatives have crumbled without long term sustained funding: I don鈥檛 see any reference to that being addressed. And fine, give local authorities more responsibilities 鈥 but they don鈥檛 have the funds to meet their current ones and it鈥檚 the vulnerable, especially the elderly, who suffer; how is that to be addressed? I am afraid that without a bit more substance it comes across as rather na茂ve.

  • 5.
  • At 10:26 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Scott wrote:

Peter,

Excellent to see you participating here. I am sure I speak for all bloggers when I say we appreciate your input AND ocassional responses. For a credible discussion forum it requires point and counter point, and importantly, to legtimise it, preferably the continued, if ad hoc, participation by the 'host', in this case you and your troops. Good work, I know you're very busy.

Can we call it even?

PS: I obtained the reference to final draft from the 麻豆社 :) "unveiled the final draft"

Either way, I shall look forward to seeing Kirsty take the "Tory's to task" as she wrote here today. Without prejudice I hope.

Thanks Scott. Oh dear, but as you say Kirsty too is busy. Even you make the ocassional (sic) slip!

Let's call it even

  • 7.
  • At 10:58 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • duncan mckay wrote:

We have a conveyor belt of career politicians and/or eton/cambridge/oxford/think tank product leading our country. The benefit of which is considerable. The disadvantage of which is a risk adverse, blinkered, uninformed, inexperienced clique with no knowledge of the real world, people, real processes and a inherant lack of imagination. Take any issue and all that is evident is a total lack of imagination & resolve. Cameron is the latest product leader from the same factory. Want to stop global warming? Act 1; Ban all fossil fuel vehicles in two years; watch the market find a solution (it already has vehicles for land, air and sea just no commercial demmand); this act would create the market need for such vehicles). Dramatic decisive and world leading. Watch the world follow. There are equally new solutions to all major issues. Our politicians simply lack the life experience and skills to envisage them and the skills or resolve to implement them. You want to know what the apathetic (uninspired) majority see in cameron? The same as we see in labour's next product range; no new experience, risk taking, imagination or skills other than the systen taught; we want punk politicans with fire and innovation we get pop brands and formulaic politicians. This is a cycle that we have to smash and one day someone is going to raise 拢100m and form a new party and change this country and who knows, maybe someday we'll have inspired innovative leaders rather than self-deluded borg. So the answer to your question is same old same old (and that goes for labour's carbon copies.) I'm not a socialist, leftist or right winger. I am a centrist ruled by grey men and women without the imagination, experience or skills we need.

Cameron's strategy is based on the business book Built to Last by Jim Collins. It is a cynical exercise in voter manipulation via vacuous platitudes. Fortunately the Main Stream Media is finally starting to see that Emperor Cameron really has no clothes. Well done Newsnight.

  • 9.
  • At 11:16 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Steve Crawford wrote:

Is David Cameron built to last?Certainly if the best you can get for opposition to him is a couple of buffoons who wouldnt look out of place in red-neck Texas. This is the UK. Tony Jupiter was more like it, constructive debate, challenge the early promise. If the Conservatives can keep the like of Tony Juniper on side then they're in business. The buffoons will always remain buffoons - if they were running the Tories it would be into the ground of third party rump politics!!

  • 10.
  • At 11:19 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Ivor Wilson wrote:

I sense that Cameron wants to see who he'll be up against at the next election before making strong policy commitments - anything up until then will be as open ended as possible but in the meantime yesterday's outburst seems opportunist(not to say inappropriately hostile in manner) given that the Conservatives have had many months to put their thoughts more pertinently into the public arena. The effect has been a negative one.

  • 11.
  • At 11:23 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Nigel wrote:

The discussion this evening would have been better without Kristy's snide remarks and interruptions.
It is a shame that the BCC cannot provide an impartial presenter.

David Willetts did a good job; 1 against 4 (although Friend's of the Earth were very constructive)

  • 12.
  • At 11:24 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • justin graham wrote:

New Labour is failing every single day. And the best we get is hug a hoody ! I have not voted tory or anyone else the past three times. I want to vote but the tories give me no reason to. When they give us reason we might just start listening and start voting again. Mr Blair is the king of spin , mr cameron is an expert pauper at spin. Gordon Brown robs us every day and treats the English like idiots , how much more can we put up with this. Well plenty more if there is no true opposition. The tory education minister on newsnight tonight should sack himself as he is not a women and does not represent the population. Help his party and resign tomorrow or start listening to the mail on sunday reporter as he is more representative of the uk population. Best of luck to the tories as it is like watching Michael Foot all over again. What are the tories values and ideas to create a successful country ?

  • 13.
  • At 11:28 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Bob Grundy wrote:

If Mr Cameron wishes to WIN the next election he does not need to have this
gimmiky Built to Last document (which will be very much forgotten by the next general election)he needs to pledge that he will withdraw the United Kingdom from the EU. If he did that it would demolish the UKIP, their
votes would go to the conseratives and it would be a landslide victory.
However he has not the guts to do this has he?
Prove me wrong!

  • 14.
  • At 11:28 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Pauline Campbell wrote:

If David Cameron wants to be seen as a credible, viable alternative to Labour, he must make his views very clear on the contentious subject of prisons. As the main opposition party, one would expect him to openly oppose Labour's plans to create 8,000 extra prison places, given that crime is down 44% over the last decade, stable this year, and murder is down. He won't be seen as "built to last" unless he spells out his policy on important issues such as prisons. Woolly rhetoric is simply not good enough.

  • 15.
  • At 11:29 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Nick wrote:

After the initial excitment about 'Dave' the fever has waned and it seems that the party is falling into a prolonged conflict of ideology which could last another decade. Unfortunatly this means that our democracy will gather more dust and dirt as the stain of New Labour seeps through our system.
Furthermore, Peter Hitchens is right; The Tories seem to believe that only by slipping into the politically correct conformity of the globalist liberal (but really capitalist driven) agenda will they be electable. Makes you wonder who decides whats accpetable.
Where does that leave the voters? More apathetic than ever!

  • 16.
  • At 11:29 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Gavin Newton wrote:

Tabman, that sounds like a typical conspiracy theory, designed to shut down debate. We are currently governed by the most cynical and incompetant government in living memory. Any strategy that gives some hope of ridding us of them gets my approval. The Conservatives have a long way to go and at least under Cameron they are trying to reconnect with the electorate. Whose the real cynic, David Cameron who, for all the marketing flim flam and the clever media manipulation, is offering an alternative or the mainstream media or the misnthropes like yourself who won't accept any alternative ?

  • 17.
  • At 11:31 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • Gareth wrote:

I would love to be whole hearted Tory voter - but the debate tonight just proved to me that they seem intent on saying anything to please everyone. I agree am coconcerned with issues like the amount of immigration and pc' ness in this country - I think most people are to some degree. Why can't they just have more conviction in what most Tories actually believe.

  • 18.
  • At 11:34 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • ron white wrote:

Aren't we getting too obsessed with what the Tories stand for and what their policies are? There's an old saying that oppositions don't win elections, governments lose them; in 1997 everyone was sick of the Tories and sleaze and Blair capitalised on this, he said things like "tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" and "education, education, education" but not much else memorable; he played on the country's disenchantment with its government which is what Cameron should do now, to make us want anything other than New Labour.

  • 19.
  • At 11:40 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • michael campbell wilson wrote:

I want to hear from the conservative party leader policies in general indicating that the party, if elected, will:-
a) remove all illegal immigrants
b) restrict severely all others applying, and require a statement of solvency and a written test in english language.
c) make a determined effort to clean out the prison system of drug pushing.
d) make parents responsible for all damage caused by their offspring under the age of consent.
e) as the population is out of control, issue free contrceptives and abortion on demand.

Plus a few more solid conservative policies.
No wishy - washy rubbish.


  • 20.
  • At 11:53 PM on 16 Aug 2006,
  • David Every wrote:

David Cameron (David-Blair Cameron), no thats not a misprint, he is sounding and behaving just like Blair.....

  • 21.
  • At 12:01 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • William Templeton wrote:

This new document is just another example of the superficial nonsense that David Cameron has substituted for proper policy. `Dave` has abandoned virtually every policy the Conservative party believed in and Peter Hitchens was absolutely right...he has only succeeded in making the party indistinguishable from Labour or the Liberals....without making any real impact on the polls. Considering the mess the Government is in, the party should be miles ahead in the polls and it isn`t. As a member of the Conservative party in Mr Cameron`s own constituency many party members such as myself have no confidence in the direction Cameron is taking the party. Mr Cameron should remember that if he is not careful, many true Conservatives will defect to the Uk Independance party, or just not vote at all.

  • 22.
  • At 12:07 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Tovarisch wrote:

Call me a snitch if you like but I reckon 20 & 21 have been hitting the sauce

  • 23.
  • At 12:09 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • BENEDICT DAVEY wrote:

The Libertarian Conservatives

We have lived and grown through the era of Labour heart, Liberal freedoms, Conservative control, and our own hopes of inspiring ambitious futures... yet we have had to fight off the perverse moralities of modernism..fight off their urges to victimise and repress...fight off the excusing of crime and perversion ..fight off those who would destroy all that was creative loving and good about us....and follow and deal with the leadership and misleadership of the media... and so we have become ...not just Conservatives Liberals or Labour... but Libertarian Conservatives... simply through the realities and art histories of our lives....

When we grew up there was no such thing as society... we new only the awesome adventures of work discovery drama and sport...

The Thatcher era promoted and inspired opportunities and we wanted to dare to have them all... we had all the potential in the world and we thought we were worth it...

Thatcherites fought against the instincts of privatisation .... those moralities that think they can do what they like at our expense.... to create a culture of considerate public accountable shared ownership

Yet new labour types did their best to oust real conservatives from every workplace and get their private instincts up the social and recruitment ladder... they won because we were unprepared for their games...

So we have invested many man hours in learning their moralities, their kind, their gameplans...it is competitive...we want to beat them their way as well as ours... as devil's advocates exposing what they are really like in order to defeat extirpate and replace them....

We need to be ambitious... ambition is the only thing worth voting for....we love it by nature and despair at the miserable demoralisation and repression in modernity...

As many do ... we have in mind a manifesto for the 21st century and are developing the toolkits of realpolitik for every man to fight for what they want in our contemporary era...

It is not their NHS... it is our NHS... our Doctors show a duty of care and have a business like reputation that we can get on with...New Labour doctors and their perverse moralities will be removed..

It is not their Police Force... it is our Police force.... their criminal mugger minded yobs and criminology must be removed...criminal justice must be replaced by lawful justice... ASBOs must be replace by VIBOs Victim Intimidation Banning Orders and summary justice or instant injustice must be replaced by proportionality negotiation and Accountability Orders...

It is not their education system... it is our education system... we all wanted a more vocational program of activity.... we all wanted schools and higher education facilities we can dip in and out of as a when...and we like as old boys to have our taxes going into our schools and offering the best leadership for our boys in business

As libertarians we think we have a lot in common with the Catholics of Northern Ireland

As lawful people we feel a lot in common with Muslims

Whilst it would take a week or two for a net team to prepare a competitive manifesto..that is not our aim...yet.... we are becoming once again.... certain of the right choices... proud of the right things... ready to substantiate conservatism labour and liberalism...ready to defeat the frauds of the new in labour...ready to challenge them with the harsh rudeness of accountability...but above all ready to make them suffer the consequences of their games... and we are of the many corresponding across the world to entertain the media and political influential with new realities...

We shall win some awesome victories... we shall defeat the politics of our enemies... we may never get elected or support the most popular team... but we will drive through a fight for a force majeure of ideas ...there are many kinds we care about many we want to empower...but first we are empowering ourselves...

We thank DC for raising the morale of Conservatism...we thank GB for controlling the economy apparently so well... we love the media and all those who produce and create...but we hate the real negligence and victimisation through the 90s and 0s...

We are The Libertarian Conservatives

For England and St George... Amen TLC

  • 24.
  • At 12:14 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Tovarish wrote:

and as for 24 . . . . . .

The things Oxford and Cambridge students will do to attract an audience for their Fringe show . . .!!!!!!!

  • 25.
  • At 12:51 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • A.H. wrote:

It's difficult for the Tories under Cameron. They are pro-war, pro-preemptive wars in principle, pro-mass immigration, pro-political correctness, pro-affirmative action.

The only thing for them to do is offer up some bumbling nonsense about border control agents (Jorge Bush anyone?) and the environment (wow, they might get lucky and split the green vote). I have no expectation whatsoever they will uphold their idea of withdrawing from the European Human Rights Act, why should anyone?

  • 26.
  • At 01:25 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Sarah wrote:

I have to disagree with Keith Donaldson (post 4) on climate change - I think the document is anything but watery. Promising binding annual cuts in CO2 emissions is a serious commitment and should be recognised as such - especially by the Labour Government who have seen annual rises in 6 out of the 8 years they have been in power.

I also thought Tony Juniper was excellent - because he recongised this is a serious commitment - but is still challenging them on what the Conservatives will do now to make it happen. Good stuff.

  • 27.
  • At 02:08 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Frank Hudson wrote:

Since the early dawn of that now infamous day after the election in May 1997, the fanatical yet simple, EU induced, primary objective of Blair & Co has been to break up the UK and in the process destroy without trace every vestige of a sense of National identity held by the indigenous population. The fact that three or four wars and the troubles in the Middle East and elsewhere have taken place during that time, are merely temporary diversions that won't be allowed to get in the way of Blair scoring the final goal. The lucrative rewards for success will know no bounds and the really chilling thought is that they are bang on course towards fulfilling what to them is a dream but would be better described as a nightmare.

The Machiavellian principle of 'Divide and Rule' i.e. the manipulation of the minds and the moods of the masses, aided and abetted in this case by influential sections of the Media, has been Blair's modus operandi throughout; bringing with it an incomprehensible, one might say, mind blowing change in the National collective psyche.

Unless Cameron & Co give 100 per cent priority, starting right now, to ram into a, for want of a better word, comatose electorate, the devastating and irreversible consequences should this plot be allowed to succeed, then any hopes Cameron might have of returning the Conservatives to Downing Street with himself as Prime Minister will count for absolutely nothing because Government as we know it just will not exist.

David Willets said they intend to create (my word) a Conservative Party that "looks like the Country". He would have had a hell of a lot more impact if he'd said a Conservative Party that "Thinks like the Country"

What this Country is screaming out for are politicians with honest. common sense based convictions, who will stand up and be counted, not some statistically gathered mix of party line adherents with 'opinions'.


  • 28.
  • At 09:10 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Benedict Davey wrote:

Built to come last more like... how irresponsible...seems he researched only his need to be fashionable...

Cameron seems not to have got the idea that the public make things up and read not just with the Daily Mail but with all the other papers too....

Hopes and reality are more important to us than his meagre transcendental citizenism

We want more ambition and sense of duty from a man who may be our leader..otherwise most of us create our own leadership on a daily basis

  • 29.
  • At 10:26 AM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Gorrod. Jack wrote:

David Cameron has to make some policy decisions. I have voted Conservative for 45 years and although I am interested in Politics I am unable to assess what he stands for and am inclined to agree with Mr Hitchins. Labour is vunerable and the Tories could win the next General Election - but not by doing what New Labour does but "better" thats what Blair did! - and has failed. I ought to be a certain vote - but regretttably I am not. Green is great but it will not win an election.

  • 30.
  • At 12:07 PM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Brian Kelly wrote:

Dave Camerons New policies have a long way to go... but at least in came back from holidays ..refreshed & up to a fight wit NL.. about time to... they are still getting unchallenged on most of their sound bites & spin... but at least the electorate is wiseing up to their antics.
Obviously Dave's speech against NL policies & PREZZA
was hitting the spot causing incandescant rage to flow!We still want too see a lot more flesh on the bone... but if the Tories say too much NL will steal it... so i can be patient as long as i can see light at the end of NLs inept tunnel.

  • 31.
  • At 02:09 PM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Robin Savage wrote:

Nigel at 11.23 wrote "The discussion would have been better without Kristy鈥檚 [sic] snide remarks and interruptions.

"It is a shame that the 麻豆社 cannot provide an impartial presenter.

David Willetts did a good job."

I (and I expect most viewers) tolerate and sometimes like impartial presenters, snide remarks and interuptions. But I do expect presenters to (1) ask coherent questions & (2) allow the guest to answer questions.

Kirsty needs a long holiday. Bring on new talent.

  • 32.
  • At 04:07 PM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Dickens wrote:

I'm growing somewhat sceptical regarding Cameron. He was, I believe, fielded by Boris the Kingmaker, and everyone was initially full of praise for new talent.

But I rather fear that the New Labour (sic!) instinct in him is rising to the surface, and as many have said, he is uncomfortably nicey-feely-cuddly-greeny, all things to all men, women and children.

The honeymoon is most definitely over. There is a danger that the centre versus the local associations will start a big spat about A-lists and such things, and that Cameron will fall on his prat. We don't need too many more Eton or Oxbridge types in British politics; New Clothes Labour is stuffed full of them. There are about 60 million Brits, most of whom have never been near privilege. Balance is necessary. I vastly prefer Boris' bumbling, but openly uncloset, behaviour and exhibition of his silver-spoon provenance, to Cameron who probably takes elocution lessons in how not to talk too posh.

As for Willetts, the middle-class face of Conservatism, I think he performed very poorly, very much on the defensive. The fault was not Kirsty's, it was the others who put the boot in. If there is yet another shadowy Tory reshuffle, Willetts may also find himself high and dry. He's a sympathetic fellow, but maybe hasn't got more guts than Siniora, when it comes to bold decisions.

And impartial presenters. They all bend over backwards to avoid being too biased, but it is inevitable that a certain colour rears its head. Obviously, Kirsty is not Jeremy, and there are visible leanings. But so long as Newsnight does not lean too much in the "poor, misunderstood Hezbollah" direction of surprisingly much reportage from Lebanon by other members of the 麻豆社 reporters' corps, then we should be thankful.

  • 33.
  • At 04:15 PM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • azaad wrote:

To answer the question: No, he isn't.

David Cameron is yet another 'FRUIT-MACHINE' politician, pushing this button and that, hoping that he will hit the jackpot and get elected.

It was rather sickening how Willets (DC's representative on Newsnight)paid obeisaince to the Israel lobby (bring in State funding of political parties, I say). It was so early in the interaction with the three questioners; unashamedly so. He even chanted the mantra: 'Israel has a right to defend itself' --- a fund-raising chant, in reality.

Cameron is wearing an 'England' wristband these days: perhaps he ought to have worn one with a Star of David instead, to show support for killing of civilians (women and children) in Lebanon.

Michael Howerd (that excellent man) would never have become Prime Minister because of widespread covert anti-semitism among the British electorate. After so many centuries, sadly, Jews have not been accepted, but tolerated merely.

Cameron should stay away from the Israel lobby, and NOT become another Zion-appeaser.

As for the rest of his policies: Toryboy hasn't a clue. We made a great mistake in not electing Dadvid Davies.

  • 34.
  • At 08:35 PM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Steve Paine wrote:

The Conservative party is a party of the past, and has ceased to be relevant. As for Cameron, he is clearly all spin, and it worries me that the British public appears prepared to vote for him.

I can only hope that the public realises Cameron's lack of substance by the next election.

  • 35.
  • At 08:36 PM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • Steve Paine wrote:

The Conservative party is a party of the past, and has ceased to be relevant. As for Cameron, he is clearly all spin, and it worries me that the British public appears to be prepared to vote for him.

I can only hope that the public realises Cameron's lack of substance by the next election.

  • 36.
  • At 09:20 PM on 17 Aug 2006,
  • A Revealing Chap wrote:

Revelationary Conservatism! Real Characters ..Real plans..these are the rumours!!!

Cameron: responsibility doesn't belong to him ..each man takes his own...and he is about as revolutionary.... as a fish out of water caught by the fishing of Jesus!

The architecture may be built to last... a Conservative world?... but New Labour control the airwaves the gossip the talking the sex the love and the fighting... the Police the NHS the Education ...the management the decisions and the future... and who controls the work and the money is always a matter of collective debate...we built...how many roads has Cameron dug?? how many public buildings has he designed? he is passing off ...or something like it...

Didn't Michael Howard argue well against the Police the NHS and Educationalists...no he didn't...

...who is going to hold them accountable... is it just us?? do we want that authority... that vocational enthusiasm...that rational duty of care back!!

Most real conservatives are devoutly uncompassionate needful loving liberals who lost the heart of labour when arrogance became unpopular in their lives..and lost the wish for inspiring futures when those became childish....stern with sectarian psychologic belief... ostracising with their radioship viewing and readership... tastefully selective ..and nostalgically superior....neurotically important ...and morally oppressive.... socially endangered ..but fun for games and arguments.... they believe all thought came from the greats of history and converse with the ancients for reassurance...

Whilst they appear like demeaned snails..and exhibit deluded confusion and failure in public...in private they think like rapacious tigers ...its all an act to make you believe in all that is necessary for their comrades to take advantage of you...

Judged by the upstartian outrage of real conservative characters... they want distinction to drive and break you down to the bottom of society to satiate their lust for power and differentiation of status..

The dark ones are maliciously narcissistic and the white tempered are riddled with servility issues envy resentment and wicked hatred... they want to pick on you for daring to believe in your own future!!

Such is the revelation.. Conservatives love to destroy socio economic value to show off their potencies

...happiest when you are crying...most triumphant when you're weak...they are the vampires of a dark and vicious age... what do they conserve in practice??

Thus the rumours of the real conservative plans..for the common public they arrogantly detest and despise. .

... no more credit cards ..no more mortgages..they want to repossess your houses and make you pay them rent...the public have proven themselves to be over priced unworthy and irresponsible ...and for making them feel unwelcome uncherished in their own country... you will lose your jobs...that's what the plebs deserve!!! conservatives houses families companies were built to last and that's why they have more money...!

built to last... means house price cynicism... they don't think those poorer than them should own them... that's the rumour... and why not... ? class distinction and capital growth are more important to a conservative...

When we think of the things the upper middle class new labour liberals and conservatives have supported against us... we can only think of superlative working class revolution.... our labour our liberals our conservatives. We want a Thatcher: a superlative working class revolution with iconic leadership of a bright future..that's what we want ...!

  • 37.
  • At 12:18 AM on 18 Aug 2006,
  • David Brown wrote:

Here we go again...

Blair was forced to copy key policies of Thatcherism to be electable and Cameron feels forced to adopt key features of New Labourism to be electable i.e. New Labour has and always will be built upon spin and news management (they are especially good at controlling the 麻豆社) and Cameron knows that a significant proportion of people in the UK are gullible and believe the distorted version of the truth 'managed' by New Labour. If you can't beat them join them...

However, only New Labour (and the 麻豆社 doing their bidding as ever) could have the bare-faced cheek to seriously attack Cameron for being all spin and no substance and keep a straight face - utter hypocrisy!

Please note the spelling of "occasionally"


  • 38.
  • At 07:09 PM on 23 Aug 2006,
  • James wrote:

I'd like to think that politics wasn't just a swinging pendulum process where one new party comes to power and simply demolishes the legacy of the previous government. Politics should be, instead, a process whereby we find out where we differ and gradually make progress on the issues where we agree.

That is why I have no real fears about David Cameron's move towards the centre ground. In the 1980s we decided we wanted a flexible economy: we got it. In the 1990s we decided that we wanted public services which worked better: we got investment but on some counts are still waiting for results. Now, in the 21st century, we not only look for the party which can manage the input of resources that have been wasted by centralised New Labour administration but also for a party which can offer leadership on global issues, whether they concern poverty or the environment.

David Cameron has said that these are his priorities and, given the trends of British politics in recent years, they appear to be the right ones.

"Built to Last" is not meant to be a manifesto and we shouldn't expect detailed policies from it, especially since that would be suicide so long before an election. What it is is a statement of beliefs and values which can be applied to the modern issues which Britain wants addressed. David Cameron has said that his policy groups are working to produce concrete statements by the end of 2007. It is encouraging to see such a diligent approach to policy formulation and we should give it the patience it deserves. If, at the end of 2007, the glamour has worn away and we still have no real policies, then we have every right to complain.

For the meanwhile, the honeymoon of the new Conservative leader (who now has a 9 point opinion poll lead) should give him the political capital to force through the policies that are generated. I have high expectations and I hope that next year the Conservatives will have something really positive to offer.

  • 39.
  • At 03:33 AM on 24 Aug 2006,
  • matt wrote:

tony blair = jack johnson

david cameron = john jackson

i suggest the question "BULL to last ?"

politics thesedays is like choosing aspartame over saccharin

  • 40.
  • At 12:51 PM on 27 Aug 2006,
  • Eric Dickens wrote:

James says, in Posting 38:

' "Built to Last" is not meant to be a manifesto and we shouldn't expect detailed policies from it, especially since that would be suicide so long before an election. What it is is a statement of beliefs and values which can be applied to the modern issues which Britain wants addressed. '

There must be things a leading politician can say without always waiting until the last minute before the election, waiting to align everything said to the state of the pound and the economy, whether or not Britain is at war, etc.

There must surely be some things that a credible party can say even months or years before a general election. What Britons are no doubt yearning for is a leader who dares to give a principalled, as opposed to an adjustable opportunist, answer to various key questions of national economy and identity.

It is laughable that a party that has been going for such a long time needs over a year to formulate its policies. How can you take either the party or its leader seriously when they slide out of every concrete promise, procrastinating their way ahead?

  • 41.
  • At 01:28 AM on 28 Aug 2006,
  • Hugh Waldock wrote:

Whilst being a fan of David Cameron麓s and appreciating that he probably is more liberal and more "third way" than his predecessors and having the perfect voice for the job I feel Mr Willets despite the spin being good has such a goody goody voice in the interview with newsnight that it is almost condecending. He has inspired me to write a poem about this new generation of conservative spin.

"Sign up for new conservatism over here
It麓ll be our little secret
and I麓ll tell you how we麓ll run the country over a beer.

We麓re changing right before your eyes!
We麓re even proposing marriage between these three Guys:
Cameron is Brown
But Cameron loves Blair
And It麓s all but spin
That he麓s had an affair"

  • 42.
  • At 12:47 PM on 25 Jan 2007,
  • whocarist illeaglum wrote:

HEY HEY HEY..
NOT GOOD ENOUGH..
I would hope to see all members of westminster's village deported to a cast away island.. I'm sure they would do their best to come back as illegal immigrants..I reckon cameron would
try to marry cherie blair if she would give a shag !
BEEN HERE FOR LAST 10 YEARS..
and I'm not gonna give in...
gimme my fucking rights to build an empire..I wanna sit down and right U fucking mugs..SEE U AT THE RITZ where I work illegally ..
come over for a cup of tea cherie ..
I'll serve U if you promiss to marry me and kick blair out...he's out anyway soon from his post and would be good enough for ya babe..come on gimme the papers luv ...wow ...luv ya !
chav's illegalum empire !
dodgy caf茅 !
whocarist himself !

  • 43.
  • At 12:48 PM on 25 Jan 2007,
  • nice chap wrote:


who cares?

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