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Ten years as Tory leader, and we still don’t know what David Cameron stands for Ten years as Tory leader, and we still don’t know what David Cameron stands for
(35 minutes later)
Politicians often reveal most about themselves in unguarded moments. Politicians often reveal most about themselves in unguarded moments. Sometimes these are refreshing and can even prove beneficial to the reputation of the speaker in question. But sometimes they are none too flattering and far more revealing than they would ever want to be. That is the case with David Cameron’s admission that he would not seek a third term in office.
Sometimes these are refreshing and can even prove beneficial to the reputation of the speaker in question. But sometimes they are none too flattering and far more revealing than they would ever want to be. That is the case with David Cameron’s admission that he would not seek a third term in office.
Some have accused the prime minister of taking the British people for granted given he seemed to presume victory in a general election in 2020 before a vote had been cast in the 2015 election.Some have accused the prime minister of taking the British people for granted given he seemed to presume victory in a general election in 2020 before a vote had been cast in the 2015 election.
Related: Five things we’ve learned about David Cameron from his kitchen interview | Holly BaxterRelated: Five things we’ve learned about David Cameron from his kitchen interview | Holly Baxter
But in truth, what is more worrying about his remarks is what they say about his view of leadership and vision – or lack of it – for our country.But in truth, what is more worrying about his remarks is what they say about his view of leadership and vision – or lack of it – for our country.
His comments to the BBC reminded me of perhaps Cameron’s most revealing remark ever. It was an answer he gave when he was leader of the opposition. Asked why he wanted to be prime minister, he is reported to have replied: “Because I think I would be quite good at it.”His comments to the BBC reminded me of perhaps Cameron’s most revealing remark ever. It was an answer he gave when he was leader of the opposition. Asked why he wanted to be prime minister, he is reported to have replied: “Because I think I would be quite good at it.”
Then, as now, he revealed a confidence bordering on conceit – even more worryingly he seems to see politics as a matter of being in office, of achieving power, not in terms of what he achieves once there. It’s about being there more than about achieving change.Then, as now, he revealed a confidence bordering on conceit – even more worryingly he seems to see politics as a matter of being in office, of achieving power, not in terms of what he achieves once there. It’s about being there more than about achieving change.
These latest remarks reflect one of the paradoxes of his leadership. A self-evidently confident politician, Cameron still suffers from a curious hollowness. Ten years after he became Conservative leader many people still question what he actually stands for or believes in.These latest remarks reflect one of the paradoxes of his leadership. A self-evidently confident politician, Cameron still suffers from a curious hollowness. Ten years after he became Conservative leader many people still question what he actually stands for or believes in.
For a party that has campaigned on its leader’s competence, his stated intention that he would stand down – if he were to win a far from certain second term – could cause chaos within the Conservative party itself.For a party that has campaigned on its leader’s competence, his stated intention that he would stand down – if he were to win a far from certain second term – could cause chaos within the Conservative party itself.
We know the kind of speculation that can mount around a decision like this. Would he step down in 2017 or the year before the 2020 election, given even he would not presume to run and hand over to someone else?We know the kind of speculation that can mount around a decision like this. Would he step down in 2017 or the year before the 2020 election, given even he would not presume to run and hand over to someone else?
Would he endorse a successor or stay above the fray? Would anyone believe him if he said he was unconcerned about the identity of the next leader?Would he endorse a successor or stay above the fray? Would anyone believe him if he said he was unconcerned about the identity of the next leader?
Being prime minister is not a job to be performed with an eye for the exit. Tories might be saying their leader has been commendably honest, but privately they will be cringing. This was certainly not on Lynton Crosby’s post-budget grid.Being prime minister is not a job to be performed with an eye for the exit. Tories might be saying their leader has been commendably honest, but privately they will be cringing. This was certainly not on Lynton Crosby’s post-budget grid.
The truth is, that although this remark reveals a lot about Cameron, what is still more revealing is his record in government – the very one he refused to defend in a head to head debate with Ed Miliband. The truth is that although this remark reveals a lot about Cameron, what is still more revealing is his record in government – the very one he refused to defend in a head-to-head debate with Ed Miliband.
He has presided over the slowest recovery on record that has only been felt by the privileged few – the people his party is most concerned about.He has presided over the slowest recovery on record that has only been felt by the privileged few – the people his party is most concerned about.
Labour knows that the British public want a different approach. They want a prime minister, and a government that understands their priorities and delivers on their calls for change. Labour knows that the British public want a different approach. They want a prime minister and a government that understands their priorities and delivers on their calls for change.
So on 7 May, voters would be well advised to choose a leader who actually wants the job.So on 7 May, voters would be well advised to choose a leader who actually wants the job.