Sharpe's Opinion

Very few prizes for being right

Peter Oborne in the Mail:

Cameron is, of course, right to warn that Gordon Brown’s financial plans are insanely reckless, may lead to bankruptcy and impose an intolerable penalty on future generations.

But there are very few prizes for being right in politics, and during the next election, which could well come early next year, Gordon Brown will have much the most comforting message for the British electorate.

There is a moment in every rising politician’s life when he or she needs to prove themselves as more than an adroit tactician. After this week, no one will be ever again be able to say that David Cameron is just a smart public relations operator with a nice wife and a pretty face.

Cameron has always had more substance than his detractors give him credit for, but he has also always been shy of sticking his neck out and tacking risks with media perception. Before an election, that has to end. He has to set out the programme he believes in, and he has to make it believable. When there’s still no election in the offing, though, he needs to keep quiet and let the situation play itself out. The most important thing for him right now is that there should be no reason not to vote Conservative.

Inwardly I hope that Cameron has a new policy to announce for every single day of an election campaign. Gordon announces a general election, and for six weeks all we hear about is Tory proposals. That would be fantastic.

Via Coffee House