David Cameron hits back after campaign digs from donors and Rupert Murdoch
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Version 0 of 1. David Cameron has defended his election campaign after donors accused him of being lacklustre and Rupert Murdoch warned he could soon be facing the chop. The prime minister countered the charges by saying: “If you want political excitement, go to Greece. If you want more showbiz in this election, go to Hollywood. “Here and now in the UK I’m focused on something real. A stronger economy – something that excites millions more: more jobs, more homes, more business, more childcare, more security in retirement.” Speaking at a rally in Yeovil, Somerset, Cameron made the comments ahead of a week in which he will concentrate even more on the economy. “I make no apologies for focusing hard on that which is central to everything,” he said. “When you get a new job, a new home, get a new childcare place or start a new business – now that’s truly exciting. “And you only get these things with a strong and stable government – not one held to ransom. That’s not the excitement Britain needs. That’s not a risk Britain should take.” Ramping up his rhetoric and animation, Cameron said “what makes his heart beat faster” is seeing someone on welfare getting a job and young people being able to buy their first home. “We don’t always wear our passion on our sleeves ... but it’s all about giving more people a good life. It’s all meaningless, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans without a strong economy,” he said. Cameron also quoted former government minister Iain Macleod, who said: “Socialists can scheme their schemes, Liberals can dream their dreams. But in the Conservative party, we have work to do.” The prime minister said if people want a party that takes risks with the economy they should “go with the other guy”. He said Miliband had been round the world collecting failed ideas for his manifesto and that Tories should stick those arguments “where the sun don’t shine”. He ended with an exhortation to activists in the Lib Dem-held seat: “Let’s do it!” However, there are signs the Conservatives are getting increasingly anxious that Ed Miliband is heading for No 10 as observers and the betting markets are pointing to a Labour prime minister. Murdoch also predicted on Sunday that Cameron will face the axe if he fails to win a majority against Miliband after not securing one previously against Gordon Brown. It has generally been thought that Cameron will stay on as Conservative leader if he falls short of a majority but manages to cobble together a coalition, or another type of deal that could enable the passage of a Queen’s speech. However, with reports that senior Tories have been sounding out support for leadership bids, the owner of the Sun and Times titles tweeted that he thought the failure to win a majority would mean the end for Cameron’s leadership. Asked about the tweets, George Osborne, the chancellor, said he had not seen the remarks and added that the Conservatives were fighting for a majority. UK. Polls all indicate hung parliament, possible constitutional crisis. Doubt the crisis bit. Deals, maybe dirty, will be done. Scots may be crazy or not wanting self rule, but who can deny right of self determination? Feels inevitable over next few years. UK. Likely approximate outcome, far from certain - Con 294 seats, Lab 265, SNP 48, LD. 25, odds 18. Everything still to tight for! UK. Failure to win majority against either Brown in crisis or Miliband would mean chop for Cameron. Open talk today in party and press. Murdoch’s remarks come after two Tory donors criticised Cameron’s campaign in the Sunday Times. Peter Hall, who has given the Conservatives more than £100,000 since 2010, told the newspaper that the prime minister was showing a “curious lack of energy and belief”. Hugh Osmond, an entrepreneur and Tory donor, said both the Conservatives and Labour were “utterly cynical”. Hall later apologised, saying: “I regret making those comments and apologise to all for this unconstructive intervention. “Just to be clear. 1. I am an absolute nobody in politics. 2. I want the Conservative party to win the election and think it has a chance of doing so. 3. The government has done a good job in very difficult circumstances. 4. David Cameron is a better prime minister than I think Boris is likely to be if [he] ever becomes prime minister. 5. I will shut up for now.” |