By Andrew Grice in Birmingham
David Cameron's big speech to the Tory conference was rewritten many times in the light of the fast-moving global financial crisis. In fact, it was shaped largely by Gordon Brown's potentially devastating charge last week that he is a "novice."
The Tory leader pulled it off. He did not resort to personal attacks on Brown, which would have made a nonsense of his offer to support measures to help Britain through the global crisis. But answered the "inexperienced" jibe by drawing a contrast between him and his rival.
Today's difficult times needed experience, he conceded, but argued they also required character and judgement. He added: "The leadership to unite your party and build a strong team. The character to stick to your guns and not bottle it when times get tough. The judgement to understand the mistakes that have been made and to offer the country change." As for Brown’s experience, he argued the last thing the country needed was "more of the same". His message to the voters was: don't hang on to nurse when she hasn't been looking after you.
Cameron described himself as "a man with a plan, not a miracle cure." There wasn't much detail on offer today. He announced a wholesale review of government spending, a recognition that best laid Tory plans may be blown off course by the state of the economy.
The Tory leader admitted that "you can't prove you're ready to be prime minister", saying it would be arrogant to try. But today he did look like a prime minister-in-waiting.
You are joking aren't you? Prime minister in waiting? more like non descript "will say anything to be liked" middle of the road PR Man. After today, the Tory honeymoon is surely over. He seems so insubstantial compared to the Prime Minister, that I think the Tory leaer is definitely NOT prime minister in waiting. If a week is a long time in politics, wait until the general election. Who knows what the voters will want and will think of Mr Cameron by then!
Posted by: Max | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 05:16 PM
So Max, would you rather have Labour in power for five more years?! If they are so good, and presumably in your opinion, Brown is so good, why is the country doing so poorly - why after spending billions of pounds of my taxes and yours are we lagging behind compared to most other western countries???
I am not by default a Tory voter, but right now, I say - why not give them a chance? If you don't like them, vote them out the next time round!
Labour by default WANTS people to be dependent on the State..they WANT people to live on benefits so that they can bribe them any time they want with small handouts. Lack of personal responsibility is at the root of all out troubles today and Labour stands for that - Labour says "The Govt. will look after you - you don't have to do anything for it" !!
Posted by: VS | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 05:42 PM
Max - You are in a considerable minority. Anyone that votes for a continuation of Brown and his funny friends is deluded. Cameron is genuinely talented and will be in an even stronger position by the election. It is'nt just about Cameron - he has a very strong team whereas the Labour front bench are totally lightweight and could'nt hold down a proper job in industry between them.
Posted by: Steve | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 05:42 PM
Oh yes, Steve, Cameron's heavywight team includes stars like 'Boy' Osborne & the charismatic Dominic Grieve. Quite frankly, even the LibDems have a more impresive senior line-up.
People who want to 'give the Tories a chance' clearly weren't around last time they screwed things up. And, in case anyone hasn't noticed, the economic problems are worldwide & not especially British.
Posted by: Henry | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 05:53 PM
Henry - the recessions during Tory years were also world wide ones and not especially British but that didn't excuse Major/Lamont from bearing the brunt of blame for their unpreparedness and incorrect policy choices.
Gordon Brown, in his own words, oversaw the Age of Irresponsibility, It hasn't been US bad house loans that hit Northern Rock and B&B but irresponsible lending in the UK, rresponsible lending not picked up nor controlled by Gordon Brown's regulatory regime. Only last June in his last speech to the City Chancellor Brown crowed about his light touch regime and the City's inventiveness and novel products, An irresponsible Chancellor, a failed PM.
Posted by: Ted | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 07:49 PM
Henry
From where I'm looking Labour have pretty much screwed things up right now
Posted by: James | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 07:49 PM
Cmeron's sppech as good but he still has to answer the Ashcroft questions that he has been ducking and until he does so satisfactorily he cannot be trusted
Posted by: peter c | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 08:22 PM
mistake to mention the hated Maggie
Posted by: peter codner | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 08:24 PM
I'd rather trustDel Boy to run the country than Cameron
He must think that the british publish have forgotten about the Thatcher days.I didnot trust Blair and Cameron
is nothing but a Blair clone.Cameron is a novice and so was Blair.Do we need the continuity of Blairism?
Posted by: kamard | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 08:57 PM
So if people don't want the "same again" then why are they falling for a PM-hopeful whose only campaign is solely based on a good Public Relations Officer?
And I guess the reason why a lot of us can be in a position to talk about this is because we got our "chance" with Labour government. We never would with the Tories. And that's what they are standing for and who they are representing - the rich.
Posted by: Olivia | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 09:07 PM
I am just amazed that anyone thinKs Brown is even a half decent PM .
He has been a disaster Cameron gave an excellent speech and will make a fine PM when the day comes-as it surely will !
Especially enjoyed attack on David Silliband
Posted by: ed | Wednesday, 01 October 2008 at 09:46 PM
ED-Did you know that19out of 29 of the shadow cabinet are millionaires?So why should we believe that the Tories will
look after the well less off in this country,they never
did and never will.Who took away free milk from school
children,bribed the nurses with offers of £1000.to give up
their pension? it was mrs Thatcher,the "back to the future Icon of Cameron.The same decent bloke who opposed
bail out of Northern Rock.Was he thinking of us taxpayers
with small savings?not onyour Nellie.It was his wealthy
pals and His millions.Dont be conned, dear ED
Posted by: kamard | Thursday, 02 October 2008 at 04:05 PM
to those who think that Cameron will make a good PM. A speech is something, to carry out a PM task is another. You don't rule a country by delivering good presentations. When the economy is in trouble the last thing i need is an INEXPERIENCED guy to manage my money. By the way, these are the same old tory. what they want is power, once they are there we will see their true face.
Posted by: Jean | Thursday, 02 October 2008 at 08:32 PM
Jean- I totally agree with you,Boris has started the ball
rolling. Livingstone worked with sir Ian Blair in order to cut the crime rate, and so far the chemistry was right.
London voted a novice in as mayor, the met top cop resigns,
unheard of for over 100 years all because of the mayor's
lust for power.If you put lipstick on a pig it still is a
pig.Cameron wants us to go back to Thatcherism because
he is shallow.HOW could any sane person think of allowing Cameron and his very wealthy shadow cabinet to
govern this country
Posted by: kamard | Thursday, 02 October 2008 at 10:01 PM