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October 10, 2005
David Cameron: I want electoral reform and I want it now
From the Telegraph
And from me, in which mischief takes over…
(for legal reasons, please note that I may have taken a few liberties with what Mr Cameron said, and he would like you to know that he hasn't supported PR since he became a member of the Conservative Party, although he might well have flirted with it at university like other students flirt with drugs. Maybe.)
There's a clear consensus on the need for change
Indeed there is.
To be attractive, our programme must be balanced, compassionate and modern
Balanced – that's co-operative, compassionate – that's non-adversarial, and modern – that's grown-up, evolved politics, not out-of-date antiquated stuff. (bottom quote here)
Of course, it would be wrong to try to write the 2009 manifesto today. And policies alone do not deliver electoral success
Not just wrong, but pointless – when will a manifesto ever make sense again? Not while the group of key voters continues to both dwindle and be more sophisticatedly targeted. And policies are no good when the system hates you.
But the measures we take must never undermine the very liberal values we're seeking to preserve.
Ah, the perils of power. What we need, Mr Cameron is saying, is an effective check on pointlessly large majority governments, which will corrupt even a fresh-faced Etonian like himself eventually.
But to capture their imagination we must also adopt a new style of politics, with less of the Punch and Judy show that younger voters in particular find so alienating.
This is the adversarial stuff again, so important, he mentions it twice.
[t]he brightest and the best minds producing detailed policy for the long term, not policy by headline. We must win the battle of ideas.
Headline policies are for headline voters; as for the "brightest and best minds" producing "long term" policies, well I couldn't possibly comment…
If we follow this lead, I have no doubt that we can demonstrate our relevance to people's lives today, win the next election, and do great things for our country.
He never really states what "this lead" is, but the next part gives it away "win the next election, and do great things for our country." He can only mean one thing.
Posted by pauldavies on October 10, 2005
Comments
Sorry, utterly off-topic, but I was wondering whether you could utilise your stupendous expertise to tell me what to think about Berlusconi's proposed PR reforms, being debated over in Italy from today? He's threatened to dissolve parliament if they aren't passed, and the unions are threatening a general strike over them, but I know nothing of the details of the proposals...
Ta, etc. (And yes, you are my bitch. xxx)
Posted by: Nosemonkey at October 11, 2005 10:10 AM
God, I hope I haven't actually given the impression I know what I'm talking about... that could be dangerous. :)
Will have a go - I always get sidetracked when looking into Berlusconi matters - such an entertaining fellow, it seems a shame to waste him on arcane political matters.
And I'll let the last comment slide... ;)
Posted by: Paul Davies at October 11, 2005 11:24 AM
"I always get sidetracked when looking into Berlusconi matters"
And I have again... I missed the thing about him having a facelift... Something tangible after lunch probably.
Posted by: Paul Davies at October 11, 2005 11:56 AM
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