After resigning
his parliamentary seat yesterday, Cameron said that his continued presence
would be a ‘distraction’ from the work of his successor, and appeared to make
it clear that he did not want to be in a position of putting an alternative
point of view to that of the government.
However, he also said that ‘he wants to continue in
public service and campaign on the domestic and international causes that he
championed in Downing Street’. I
wonder how he squares that particular circle.
There was
another piece of
analysis yesterday by the BBC’s Political Editor, looking at how completely May
has junked the people and policies of the Cameron era. We’ve had a complete overturning of the economic
policy which Cameron, Osborne, (and, I’m sure, even May) previously told us
were essential. International policy (towards China in particular) looks likely to see significant change. This week, policy on
selective education was reversed. It
seems that the so-called ‘northern powerhouse’ so beloved of the ex-Chancellor
is rather less close to the hearts of the new team as well – and all this in
just two months. Who knows what else
will change as she really gets stuck in?
The comment ("it IS a new government", one
senior Tory told me, "not everyone has understood that yet")
reported in the second story seemed quite accurate to me. We have a new government, working to a new
and different set of priorities. Whilst
the changes are not necessarily in the same direction, the difference between a
May administration and a Cameron one looks like being as great – perhaps even
greater – than the difference that there would have been between a Cameron
administration and a Miliband administration had the 2015 election gone the
other way. And all achieved without the
bother and hassle of an election.
But back to
Cameron: given the extent of the emerging differences, how can he continue to
campaign for the same things without ending up in opposition to May’s
government?
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1 comment:
Ah, Little “Spliff” Cameron has left the political scene, I shall miss him as he was man whose political and general view of life was created in his formative years in smoked-filled rooms. He viewed himself as a Mr Nice Guy and Flashman, but always wanted to be loved.
He got the top job by one good presentational speech against his rival, who was not as good at the acting role, but far out did him on intellect and capability and that is the lesson for political parties when choosing a leader.
Labour clearly have taken this lesson on board with their current leader, while Plaid put presentation above capability.
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