Cameron's back
When the leader of a political party holds a news conference in the dog days of August, with minimal television audiences, with Westminster shut, with MPs away on holiday, you always have to ask why?
Today David Cameron dragged three of his most senior frontbenchers from their sunloungers to an airless room at Westminster to deliver and answer questions from the media (watch it here). So what was he up to?
It's very simple.
First, he was announcing that he was back. The Conservative leader has been sunning himself in Scotland and Greece for the last three weeks - note the tan - and he just wanted to let the world know that he was back at his desk.
Second, he wanted to say his bit on the issues of the day, about which he has been by definition silent for the last few weeks. Hence, a full exposition of his views on the Middle East and terrorism. In the process, he took on the Government and his own internal critics.
The Government, he said, was not doing enough to combat Islamic extremism in Britain - the Home Office budget should not be frozen, intercept evidence should be allowed in courts, and the government should follow through more on promised anti-terror laws and efforts to engage with the Muslim community.
As for his internal critics, Mr Cameron defended his decision to criticise specific Israeli military actions in Lebanon as disproportionate. A lot of Tories think he was wrong to say this but he's sticking by his guns.
But Mr Cameron was, third, trying to do something else - namely get the Conservative Party back onto the front foot.
In recent weeks, the polls have not looked as steady as they might. His A-list candidate selection reforms have been criticised for not promoting enough women and ethnic minorities. He's been attacked for surrounding himself with so many Old Etonians. The policy announcement of the summer appears to have been limited to a new oak tree party logo.
So, Mr Cameron was teeing us up for a bit of an announcement blitz. There'll be more tomorrow on his "Built to Last" process of consulting the party about its basic values. There'll be more over the weekend on the A-list candidate selection process - I'm not satisfied with it, says Mr Cameron - so watch out for a toughening up of the rules.
The Conservative leader told the news conference that his party still had momentum. Well, maybe, but he is still looking to pick up a bit more of it if he can.
I'm 
Comments
Bang goes all potential Tory votes from British Muslims.
It's about time that the opposition actually started pulling the government to task on everything going on at the moment. Isn't that why we have a democracy? It's good to have the government challenged to keep them on their toes. Go for it Cameron, stick it to em....
I missed the fact that Cameron had denounced some Israeli actions as disproportionate, when Blair would not. (Note the "specific" actions: a clever dodge of pleasing those who wanted condemnation that New Labour seem to have missed.)
The man clearly is an alien being placed on earth to test the resolve of middle class liberal intellectuals. It's appalling how tempted I am to vote for him; it's like there's a little Tory homunculus living in my head and drawing my attention to each liberal-pleasing statement. God help me.
David Cameron's attack emphasises the fact that he is in the thick of it, whilst Tony suns himself at Cliff's place for a while yet. Gordon, as ever when the going gets rough, is silent and invisible.
Nice to see one senior politician choose to be back at their desk, ready to work for the good of the country, especially in such difficult times. If Dave keeps up this work ethic then he gets my vote.
It really highlights our leaders absence doesn't it ?
"What was he up to?"
You forgot the possibility that he's genuinely concerned by the turn of events, as are many people.
Well Cameron has at last made a statement about the Middle East war.does he realise its been going on for 36 days.His comments on getting Muslim radicals out of the country ,the government has tried and get blocked by Old Etonian High court Judges and Tory Lords in the House of Lords.As always Cameron never comes up with answers only "HYPE"
Oh yes! What a hard working guy, 3 weeks holiday while Blair has been gone for a week. Well done Cameron, spin away; as I have always said, you can't beat the Tories at spin!!!
Excellent speech by David Cameron, hitting all the right targets. It simply beggars belief that anybody in the UK still supports Labour, given its sleaze, incompetence and gross betrayal of the British people over immigration.
Nice to see someone saying what a lot of us are thinking and ironic that Cameron's come back to work whilst Blair's still sunning himself. Blair & this government need some proper opposition for once. I also think that British Muslims might actually be pleased to see someone trying to deal with extremism properly instead of trying to pass more legislation which will make life difficult for even the most law-abiding Muslim citizens.
Three weeks without a pronouncement from Dave, but bless him his back. Did I really here Dave mention "Bill of Rights" surely he remembers the duffing up he got last time?
Then he mentioned beefing up the anti-terrorist law, didn't he vote against 90 days detention? Not to mention trying to scupper any strong anti-terrorist legislation the government has brought forward.
Perhaps he should take note of the age-old advice...if you cannot say something sensible, keep your trap shut. He might, just might, fool enough people to win the election that way.
"highlights our leaders absence"? As the article mentions, Cameron has been away for the last three weeks. Blair has been away for a matter of days. It's not about Cameron being harder-working than Blair, just taking his holiday at a different time.
Cameron is like a rabbit caught between the headlights of an uncoming car. He's trying to appeal to the traditional Tory voters whilst at the same time reach out to potential Tory voters like the Islamic immigrants and other minorities. It's about time he had the guts to stand up for what he believes in and speak out for the majority of British people. As for Gordon Brown remaining silent and invisible - Gordon knows that the game is up and he has been found out - taxes up, inflation up, unemployment up, interest rates rising, bankruptcies rising, repossessions rising - the only thing falling is Brown's popularlity and his chances of ever becoming PM
Forget that fool Prescotts comments,David Cameron is voicing the feelings of the majority of people in this country.Too ignore what's going on at the moment, just to secure a few extra minority votes,is Labours main concern and not a true and honourable way of running this country.This government has pussy footed around long enough on subjects such as terrorism,immigration and countless other important issues.Cameron,if brave enough,could be the clean breath of air the people of this country are crying out for.We have been treated like fools long enough by this deceitful busted flush government.It's long overdue for an honest outspoken party to take over and once again take the British electorate along with it in what it sets out to achieve and no longer deceive and keep the people of this Great Country in the dark.
Locking the door once the horse has bolted...
It is easy to comment once the immediacy and urgency of events has passed - normality slowly resumes in airports, the rockets in the middle east are silenced.
Enter Dave Camera-shy.A predecessor may have been the quiet man, but Dave is certainly the say nothing man.Considering his reluctance to support recent anti terrorism laws, the bombs he has thrown in the direction of his usual suspects messrs Blair, Brown and Prescott, would appear disproportionate.
Maybe, just maybe if Israel had set up a stall selling chocolate oranges on the Lebanon border, or if Hezbollah had been wearing hoodies, Dave might have been unable to resist, bitten the bullet and for once made a timely, if ultimately hollow statement.
It's nice to hear a balanced view for a change reflecting the real situation rather than the "either one view or the other" that everyone else has gone for. Yes, Israel was over the top and should be condemned for its actions, but equally yes it has a right to defend itself against continual atatcks. Ditto terrorism - not liking a policy doesn't give you the right to blow things up.
As for not supporting the government's initiatives, perhaps the government should consider that this may just possibly be because their initiatives are not the answer.
Good statement, Dave. Let's have some more.
Scotland? Tan? Are you sure?
Your meteorolgical whimsicality aside, good for DC.
Very useful. A press conference.
Where's the call to recall parliament or actually *do* something about *anything*.
It's a sorry state when we applaud politicians on their soundbites.
THE BLAIRS SHOULD NOT BE RUNNING THIS COUNTRY ALL THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT ARE THEM SELVES I M AFRAID
If Dave was so concerned why has it taken him 3 weeks to return, and when he does speak we get the usual platitudes and cliches. He has no original plans of his own and he hopes you forget that any attempt by the Govt to tighten security has been opposed by him and his party. It has been said he wants to emulate Blair, I think he's more likely to emulate Kinnock as he jumps on any bandwagon passing if he thinks he'd get your vote.
Perhaps Camerone is hoping to provoke John Prescott into coming out to play whilst his master is out of the country.
Doesn't this just remind you of those kids at school who'd hang around desperately trying to see who could pee higher up the wall?
Cameron is keen to be seen as "tougher" than Blair, while Blair can't be seen to be "weak" (whatever the hell that means).
In the meantime, none of the problems are being sorted out, and ordinary people are being asked to surrender more and more of our essential liberites.
I seem to remember just after September 11 2001, there was a lot of bluster about not letting the terrorists win.
Well, we've significantly changed the relationship between the individual and the state and stripped away centuries of hard-won freedoms that countless people dies for. The terrorists don't need to do anything, our own governments have handed victory to them on a plate by giving away things that were not in their gift in the first place.
Yes, just where does El Gordo go? It's as if he is terrified to utter anything that might be described as an opinion.
How stupid is Prescott attempting to silence Cameron with platitudes on national unity. Clearly the nation is not united on the issue - all the 7/7 bombers were British born, so too Richard Reid and all the alleged terrorists arrested over the last week. It's about time the Government had a full inquiry into why dozens of British born Muslims feel the need to blow themselves up and their fellow citizens!
David is aboslutley right to criticise the Government for failing to deal with the rise of fundamentalism here in the UK. His balanced comments (and fact he is here!) show he is far more in touch with reality than the current Govt.
After Prezzers embarrassing press conference to try and show he was in charge (which he clearly wasn't), calling Cameron's statements 'beyond belief' is a bit rich. Hasn't he found another civil servant to play with? the guy is a joke!
Is it me, or does the backdrop for this speech look a little like the Oval Office? Good to see Cameron remembers his marketing roots.
Despite the suntan and new looks Cameron at heart is a Tory in the true Thatcher tradition.
David Cameron needs to reflect on why his party got to the wretched state they are in. Sleeze, lethargy, anti EU, privatisation of North Sea Oil, Water, Electricity and the Railways. What a terrible legacy they left.
Behind all the rhetoric lies only devisive chaos.
This is shameless opportunism by David Cameron. This sniping is not constructive and only seeks to make political capital from what is a terrible threat to our country.
Once again, the intrepid Tory PR Opportunist strikes again. A disgusting attack on anti-terror strategy.
So it's Cameron v Prescott while our great leader is on holiday? Isn't that a bit like Chelsea v Pocklington reserves?
I don't like the sight of blood...
bang goes all the votes from british jews
Bang goes all potential Tory votes from British Muslims.
But if he keeps this up, he'll get mine -- a lifelong Labour voter, but no more. This is the first sensible suggestion I've seen from a British politician in years.
After Blair I swore I'd never vote for another sharp-suited media-savvy leader again. DC looks like making me eat my words. I'm not reassured, but I am impressed.
Dave's work ethic is certainly praiseworthy, and the government ought to be doing more. That said, criticism is one thing, action is another. Please give us more policies, and less populism; the Conservatives are right on track.
Cameron-addressing the crucial issues of the day and by doing so gaining legitimacy.
Brown-silent on anything remotely controversial, a truly pathetic excuse of a man
so the dodgy salesman is back from his holidays and the first thing he doe's is go on the attack over the governments performance in dealing with terrorism,what planet is this man from is he not the same man who has tried to put a spanner in the works for 90 day detention and again control orders how dare he talk about this in such a way,i can assure mr cameron that by doing this it makes him look like a mere snipping child and he has not said what he would spend money on and he has said that the budget if he were in power would be roughly the same so c,mon dave give us a break and stay of the funny white stuff as it screws with your judgement,he wants to run government but his performance at itv digital was nothing to be proud of after all he was the man trying to convince us to part with our cash and go digital with itv and look were that went...
Good one David. Someone needs to stand up to this softly softly approach to the so called British Muslims. Coming from Ireland and now living here in England you "don't bite the hand that feeds you". So if you don't like this and can't abid by the UK rules, go somewhere else. Maybe there's a better life in the Middle East, douth it! or is that why Britsh Muslims are enjoying life over here!
David Cameron asserts that if people are unhappy with UK foreign policy they shouldn't blow themselves up but show their disatisfaction via democratic means. How would a potential suicide bomber be able to do this when both major political parties stand essentially for the same thing (i.e. doing the US's bidding come what may) and the third party are a joke? Come on "Dave", you'll have to do better than that if you want to reduce the terrorist threat.
Blair et al (inc Cameron) tell the Muslim leaders that it is not appropriate to blame foreign policy for UK Islamic terrorism. This is odd, since those same terrorists say they are motivated by UK policy in the Middle East. The cause and effect is there for all to see, it is blindingly obvious. It is simply pointing out the elephant the politicians can't see in front of their noses.
To point this out isn't giving in to terrorism. It isn't condoning terrorism. It doesn't mean our whole foreign policy should be held hostage by terrorism. It doesn't mean we have to do exactly what teh terorists want.
What it DOES mean is that we should start to resolve the underlying causes that drives people to such desperate measures. What it DOES mean is that we have to realise that our actions have poured petrol on the fire.
Boy, it's reassuring to know that mini-Blair is back.
Personally I love the idea that in a democracy you can change foreign policy using your vote. Of course that does rather rely on there a) being a difference in position between the major parties and b) that you don't mind that the damage will be done by the time you get to exercise your rights.
It amazes me that both Cameron and Des Browne have both been allowed to claim that there is no link between our involvement in Iraq and terrorist attacks. Prior to Iraq these groups were targetting US interests, since Iraq they have directly targetted UK citizens and the attacks are on UK soil. This subtle fact seems to elude our ruling elite, perhaps someone from the press could, err, press them on it?
I did notice that mini-Blair managed to critise the freezing of the home office budget whilst still avoiding saying anything that might be construed as a policy statement, still it is nice to the Her Majesties opposition actually opposing something, all too rare these days.
Labour used to be the party of benign internationalism and defence of our civil rights - no more alas.
The tories have always had rather looney/deluded foreign policy ideas.
It doesn't matter much any more, because Britain doesn't matter much any more. For any improvements, we have to wait for the US electorate to come to it's senses, yawn.
But my vote is still up for grabs. All Cameron has to do is offer decline in the size of the state (and thus taxes), some deregulation and at least passably competant administration.
Not too much to hope for surely ?
To all the people deriding Brown's "invisibility": why should the Chancellor of the Exchequer be voicing a comment on matters of foreign policy and anti-terrorism? That's a job for the Prime Minister (and, in his absence, his deputy).
If Gordon Brown decided to make a statement (in, as the article described, "the dog days of August"), he would be pilloried for 'opportunistic attention-seeking' on a subject that is not his remit. And it surely wouldn't be particularly different to what his colleagues had already said.
Just because he is the presumptive PM-in-waiting doesn't mean he has to speak whenever his predecessor-to-be does.
Another gem from the king of trite shallow opportunistic drivel.
How do David Cameron's views on the Middle East and Muslim extremism compare with Gordon Brown's views?
Well done for giving leadership not the political gesturing of "Fad Labour" - when will the Muslim Community listen to what Mr Cameron is saying and deal with the problem in its own back yard. Tough on Crime- Tough on the causes of Crime! This government is increasingly looking as empty and hollow as their policies. Credibility is built slowly and lost slowly but definetly - look at the Tory stronghold on British politics in the 80's. Blair Beware - your suntan may be the end of your career!
Oh Dear another vague statement that's meant to show that he's here, and to try to pick up votes from miscellaneous causes of discontent in the country. I tend to doubt that he has any specific answers. Which islamic radicals would he have sent packing, what was wrong with the way that their cases have been dealt with? If they have not been expelled yet he says that the legislation does not need changing, then what specifically has been done wrong and by whom? The politicians? The judges? The panels dealing with asylum cases? David, spot the difference: George Bush and 911 when a report had warned of attacks using planes; Tony Blair's security services stopping 9 UK planes being bombed out of the sky.
Cameron just gives us Vague piffle, and if people want to vote for more political spin with a pretense that he's any better then I really pity them.
This country is crying out for someone to address the problem of immigration in the uk, I beleive we cant take any more people into this island and im not ashamed to say this, im not a racist im concerned that the fabric of our British way of life is being handed away by this labour government what I would like is for other political parties to stand up and say just that
Very interesting concerted Labour response to Cameron's words today. Clever of them (in a PR sort of way) to bring dissidents into the fold for this one too. Cameron was balanced, intelligent, credible, statesman-like. The freezing of the Home Office budget (which has Gordon Brown written all over it), for example, is a disgrace, and he was right to say so. Labour reaction to Cameron today is nothing more than fear-reaction to circumstances (and eloquent expression of them) that genuinely threaten the government's credibility.
I fully agree with those who say that it is nice to see David Cameron "in the thick of things" insofar as the crisis in the Middle East is concerned. There are not many politicians who would respond to an important issue like this within such a short period of time as five weeks.
The man is a chancer.
Blair and his coterie are bad enough, but this guy takes the biscuit.
British politics (like much of the world) is going to hell in a hand basket.
Hi James
I read your blog, 'Cameron's back' (August 15), with interest. You wrote
that David Cameron had three reasons for holding a news conference today:
1) He was "announcing that he was back... he just wanted to let the world
know that he was at his desk".
2) He "wanted to say his bit on the issues of the day".
3) He was trying to "get the Conservative Party back onto the front foot".
What did you hope your readers would take from this analysis?
Can I ask, additionally, why you made no mention of what this revealed about
the scope of Britain's political response to the alleged bomb plot, as
described, for example, in today's 大象传媒 article 'Cameron criticises terror
effort'? I'm referring to the fact that the discussion between the two main
political parties stretches from Cameron, who argues that the government "is
not doing enough to fight Islamist extremism", to John Prescott's response:
that these comments were "almost beyond belief" and "undermined unity" at a
time "when we should all stand united". Do we not learn from this something
about the state of free speech, political choice and democratic vibrancy in
our society? Do these comments not instantly recall Orwell?
Best wishes
David Edwards
Regardless of whether you agree with what Cameron has to say or not, he has very effectively shown that the Labour government struggle to deal with criticism. If nothing else, an Opposition Leader should be arguing with government policy, especially when so many people in the country are unhappy with their government.
And with regards to the 90-day detention issue, if the police need 90 days to find evidence against someone, then under what evidence was that person arrested? Allowing the police to hold someone for up to three months is a step towards totalitarianism, and I'm glad that the Tories have opposed it.
The speech was vacuous. He didn't mention carbon emissions, climate change or the impending ice age. He didn't even mention the giant asteroid hurtling towards earth. Has he forgotten he's a Tory?
This news conference was of more relevance than the one that Blair summoned you to at 06.30 hours on 8 August. Strange that you did not question Blair's motives on that occasion, despite the fact that it contained no news value at all. It couldn't be that, like one of your colleagues on another TV news channel, you would include most of the Labour cabinet on your wedding guest list, could it?
"Note the tan" - oh dear just wait for our Tone to get back from Barbadoes and see who's been sunbathing the most!!
Mind you why shouldn't politicians make themselves available in August - it's the media that invented the "silly season!.
This is all just Tory hype. I wish to point out that David has been on holiday for 3 weeks and the Middle East Crisis has gone on for 4/5 weeks - why didn't he comment before he left? And also, he has made this speech now but it has taken him 5 weeks to comment on the Middle East Crisis - AFTER a ceasefire has been agreed and it has taken him nearly a week to comment on the terror plot - AFTER airports are resuming normality! Next time, he should try being a good oppositiona and commenting whilst events unfold, not after they have been sorted. At least Tony Blair sorted out the Middle East Crisis before he went on holiday and he does deserve one too!
I always thought Harry Enfield should bring back that 'Tim nice but dim' character good to see him back: shame about the lack of jokes though.
Nothing sums up the current Conservative Party better than this statement:
"The policy announcement of the summer appears to have been limited to a new oak tree party logo."
If Cameron had spoken when the conflict in the Middle East first flared, it would have been understandable. To rise from his sun-lounger weeks after the onslaught began and hours after the U.N. resolved the issue looks lazy and opportunistic. Once again the Tory Opposition has let the press do its critical work in the interim and left itself wide open to the criticism of reactionary halfwits like Prescott and nodding dog non-entitites like Shahid Malik.
Any right-minded Member of Parliament should have voted against this government's dangerous and illiberal anti-terror proposals. There's an issue for the Oppoition to deal with, not this tabloid trend-trailing guff about Islamic extremism.
It's truly disappointing to think that next Cameron feels we will have to gaze at the navel of Tory values for the length of a press conference or be reassured about the integrity of his A-list of soap suds and literary duds. Your party is over two hundred years old. Get some of its bloody ideas together, man, apply them to some constructive policies based on liberty and religious tolerance such as those propounded by John Locke and direct all your energy towards removing this corrupt, clueless, constitutionally calamitous failure of a government or lose the next election again.
People are fed up of Tony Blair鈥檚 blind allegiance to George Bush and his Middle East policies. It鈥檚 time someone spoke out for our frustration.
We need to take a hard look at the way we conduct ourselves and then we need to look at the way others conduct their selves.
As for John Prescott鈥檚 criticisms, everyone knows he鈥檚 not that bright.
There are lots of things that you could complain about but don't complain about the Blairs having a rest and a holiday - everyone deserves that and he'll be a better Prime minister as a result.
Like Harry Giles (Post #3) I must have a Tory humunculus in my head (and if that's the wrong spelling, it's not my fault, I copied it).
Still, when the Home Secretary has said that his department is "not fit for purpose", he probably agrees that it isn't doing its job, and that would, I guess, involve monitoring and containing radical Islam.
Sure there's a problem with radicalism in this country. The biggest problem is that our leaders are not able to explain clearly the aims of our foreign policy, and how, for example, Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine might all involve Muslim communities but have arisen for totally different reasons. Some might be spurious, some possibly venal but it isn't a conspiracy.
That's the trouble with the "war on terror", the US line on which we slavishly follow. There's only room for one thread linking all these actions, and when you link them.....well, there's one common denominator.
Far be it for me to imply that James is having the privelege of a global platform provided by British TV and readio licence payers to take a less than subtle dig at the Tories. As we all know Auntie is always neutral and oh so consistent. After all it was Panorama that recently warned the Government that when it came to Muslim issues it was being advised by unrepresentative groups such as the MCB and other self appointed spokesmen for the community. What happenned as the Heathrow terror threat unfolded? Auntie started delivering quotes from the MCB on her website Such is the power of sloppy journalism. James old boy take a closer look at the medium because your message is diluted before you put a finger to your keyboard. Must rush the sun lounger is getting lonely.
Poor Tories, they picked another wrong en. Who will lead them at the next election?
David Cameron is back he is most welcome. At least I feel like its good to have someone back who is called leader of something political. When I listened to Mr Cameron on a brief bulletin he started to get a little defensive about his challenge of Blair and the war on extremism.
Cameron is fearful of being portrayed as being in the wrong camp regarding this 鈥淎rc of Extremism鈥, and plainly was not able to get comfortable with his words and expression.
Cameron is suffering from what Bush and Blair have deliberately set out to do. Either we are with them or against them. And in these stark times that seems to mean if we are not with them, then we are with the terrorists.
I will never be a terrorist nor do I believe Mr Cameron will ever be a terrorist. However when we are polarised into either being with them, Bush and Blair, or against them and de facto, a terrorist sympathiser, we are being left open to vilification and guilt by disagreement.
I feel excluded from raising my viewpoint for fear of a knock at the door from the anti terror squad. And is it right that those who argue for Freedom and Democracy will shout terrorist at anyone who asks them what they are doing or if what they do is right?
Blair and Bush, bullying their Freedom and Democracy ticket, make us all join them for fear of being labelled a terrorist sympathiser. I don鈥檛 support terror and I don鈥檛 support extreme behaviour by anyone.
What Cameron is failing to do is take a stand on principle about Freedom and Democracy. And we are right to challenge and ask questions when the war on terror leads to innocent lives being sacrificed and innocent means both sides of the terror divide. By definition, innocents are not terrorists and not supporting anything but trying to live peacefully.
Freedom and Democracy for Mr Cameron鈥檚 benefit is the right to challenge democratically when Democrats are not behaving and not leading their people as the people wish. As for Mr holidaying Blair, he left the UK when the threat to us was either severe or critical. What does this tell us? Mr Cameron might ask that question.
And Mr Cameron might also consider the behaviour of Mr Bush, who is making a bully boy statement every time he states, 鈥漞ither you are with us or against us鈥. Like most ordinary people I am pro American in all things American which are to the good of everyone and very pro American people and their way of democratic life. I love all that is good about America!
I do not consider Mr bush is good for America, or his statements or his attitude to democracy. I do not consider the behaviour of Mr Blair either democratic or acceptable. And that is my right to say in a democratic society.
Am I for freedom and democracy and against extremism? Absolutely yes unequivocal in my views. Am I for Blair and Bush? On some elements yes, on their prosecution and deliberate defence of their indefensible actions, or as it seems so? Absolutely not. It is not acceptable in a democratic society to label and make challenge an act against the state. To make debate and challenge an act of dissent is what Blair and Bush argue now, yet they do it themselves in their belief in their actions. Cameron might ask if they behave like hypocrites, if he had the gumption.
Cameron might note the behaviour of Mr Blair in recent times. Is it democratic? I feel Mr Cameron might ask these questions as well as challenge where we are with our war on terror. I fear terror is inside our democracy in the worst of places right now, and its not where we might suspect.
My home is the UK, my life has been made safe by the state and we have made peace our aim. We need more of this and less blame and less polarisation, maybe Mr Cameron might consider this in his post holiday reflections.
I Watched Cameron's speech, read the blog and now all of the comments afterwards on the site. Isn't feedom of speech wonderful - that would be the first thing to disappear if the UK ever become an Islamic State (Heaven and God (my Christian God) forbid)
David Cameron is simply voicing what the majority of Brits are saying over a pint in the Dog & Duck on a Saturday evening. Spin it may have been, but it's the spin that this country's population all sympathise with, well the elements of this country's population who aren't attempting to blow up commercial airliners.
Blair? The man's inept. Prescott? He's only there to keep Blair in power. Brown? Where is Brown??
The sooner there's a general election the better.
Mr Cameron was clearly musing too much on holiday. He should be offering a unity with the government on this, and trying to persuade Muslims that our anti-terror strategy is ultimately for their own benefit.
Highlighting the fact that Westminster is closed isn't really a revelation is it, and that the PM is on holiday, during the summer, not really earth shattering. That he doesn't like terrorists is not news, but picking to do all of this when no one else is around, well Hague, IDS and Howard never did that so you must give him points for being different. Of course now he's got to spend from now until conference blowing hot air everyday or this will look like a waste of time.
Rather than praising Cameron for being back at his desk shouldn't we be asking why his so called "policy announcement" happens to coincide with August's silly season when the lobby hacks themselves are taking a break and he knows he won't have to face the usual levels of scrutiny. The country deserves a real opposition, not one who waits patiently for the government to self destruct rather than letting the elcetorate know what they stand for.
Mr Cameron has achieved what the press couldn't do, i.e drag that thing out of the woodwork to make a fool of himself - once again.
Well done, Cameron.
Phew! At one point I thought there could actually be a chance of the Tories getting back into power.
However, Cameron's attempts to change the Tories are so desperate that I don't think anyone will believe this wolf in sheep's clothing.
I think there is still a cultural advantage for Labour to exploit over the Tories: the youth and media traditionally favour anything on the left of the Tories, whereas the Tories were seen as the party of Alf Garnetts. For all the talk of voting blue to be green [groan!], inclusion and a modern, 'compassionate' Tory party, the Tories would be fools to imagine that some sort of tectonic shift in political-cultural attitudes was underway in this country. They are still perceived as Alf Garnetts.
David Cameron (and the other senior Toies) are right to pull up this bunch of incompetents on their failures. I had to take my shoes and socks off before giving up counting their failures.
Why does this government think that by saying the government is going about something the wrong way then you are againt the principle?
I agree that we need to deal with many of the issues that the Labour Party 'spin' about but I fail to see how what they have done or plan to do will make any difference.
I would be surprised if David Cameron has much time to consider such esoteric questions of the day as : whether Hamas or Hezbollah are really "terrorist/arc of extremists (sic) organisations". He is far too busy trying to keep up to date with the latest pop trivia for his next interview with GQ/Cosmopolitan/The Economist/Marie Claire.
But not to worry, he has a praetorian guard of wannabe neo-Con 'meat-heads' (IDS, Soames, Fox etc) to make sure he toes the "All the way with George W, Donny and Chey" line.
Not to forget William Hague - always guaranteed to put a dignified and "statesmanlike" gloss on speeches whose content is purest dross.
As I understand, this country and others in Europe fought two world wars to establish an unprecedented level of freedom. Freedom to express our views on any issue whatsoever. David Cameron as leader of the main Opposition party has a duty of care to express his views. In my opinion, he is being polite and restrained in expressing views that in all probably the majority of people in the UK actually think.
Pile it on David!!
Most British Muslims don't vote Tories. They go back to Labour - for more.
I REALY DO BELIEVE THAT BOTH MR
CAMERON AND BLAIR SEE THEM SELVES
AS HEIRS TO MR CHURCHILL, OLD WINNY
WOULD NOT HAVE EITHER OF THEM IN HIS
OUTER OFFICE OPENING THE MAIL, THEY
ARE BOTH LIGHT WEIGHTS AND WILL REMAIN SO.AND HISTORY WILL JUDGE THEM
SO.
Oh yes, David 'PR stunt' Cameron is back. Yawn. Please refer to whatever Blair has said.
David Cameron jumping on the D word bandwagon is nothing more than a cynical attempt to woo the vote of bleeding-heart Islingtonites and the vote of Muslim north. He actually believes that grabbing a few northern seats is do-able now because of the demography and anti war backlash. Why else would a Tory leader make several handshake trips to places like Manchester.鈥┾㏕ory-Lite, all style and no substance. All things to all people. Cameron seems like hes trying to clone Blair circa 97. But TB is a genuine Centre-Right politician (not centre-left as TB claims). Under the surface Cameron is a still a true blue right wing, flag conservative. With his anti EU, anti-transatlaticist overtones he reveals his isolationist protectionist instincts, yet postures as a new centre right leader of a reformed Tory party.鈥┾㊣ am not convinced. As another isolationist famously said.. On your bike.鈥┾
An excellent post. It would be really good if James would run a blog himself.
David Cameron, is'nt he the Foxhunter who has promised to scrap the Parliament Act and re-introduce Foxhunting,Staghunting and Hare Coursing?
Must be very alarming for a chameleon to come back and realise that the only colour he can display is grey. Presumably he will have to start relaunching himself as an international statesman like other failures such as Hague, Steel and Campbell.
Politicians should be selected on their skills and knowledge not on their politically correct profiles. Being a Politician is a job and like we have to go through recruitment processes to get the job we have applied for, so should they. We may then get the quality politicians that is needed to manage our country!
The Conservative Party needs to stress cutting taxes and Intelligent National Security. Of course there is a place for Liberal Conservative values on social issues but those don鈥檛 get you elected. Lady Thatcher showed the way to win elections.