Adrian Owens: BBC positive about David Cameron but other commentators unsure of reaction of party activists and the wider public

David Cameron’s speech led the main 10pm news tonight, as we would expect.  The coverage though was shorter than last night, at just 5 minutes.

Those around the Leader will not be worried about the quantity of the coverage though, because the quality of the coverage was first class in their terms.  Plenty of focus on the passages of the speech that the Leader’s team would have wanted covered – commitment to the NHS in particular.  Cameron’s advisers will have been more than happy too with Nick Robinson’s commentary talking of the “new direction” for the party and creating a “new mood”.  The BBC obviously likes David Cameron, but then we suspected that already.

A more uncertain note was sounded when political commentators were interviewed about how those at conference were reacting to this “new direction”.  Anne McElvoy thought that activists had been won over.  Benedict Brogan was less positive.  Matthew Parris shrewdly hedged his bets and said he felt that conference liked David Cameron personally but was less enamored with his message.

It’s not surprising that the commentators came to different conclusions – partly this is due to David Cameron’s stance of refusing to be tied down to policies too early, but partly it is also due to cruder motives.  None of us really know whether this conference has been a success until we see the first opinion polls in the weeks to come. 

Those at the conference are in an isolated bubble where group think can set in and a rosy picture prevail, while those of us unable to attend this year have our view mediated through channels such as the BBC.  The truth is, none of us know for certain what the wider reaction will be.  Wise heads such as Matthew Parris hedge their bets.  Meanwhile we eagerly await that crucial first opinion poll to pour over the movements in party fortunes like ancient soothsayers poured over the entrails of sacrificed animals.

Comments

[john mcgeggor]

the bbc seem to be pretty positive on cameron.is this not because they dont like blair.i think the others are still hedging their bets for fear of not being asked to number 10 if brown wins, or forms some sort of government.we must remember labour are ruthless,and journalists are still(unbelievably considering the state of labour)still soft on them,and have a soft spot for tony.the cameron camp must learn from this schmoozing and throw every journalist(even if they hate us) steak,not the cheapest cuts,as i fear has been the case in the past.

[Jon Harrison]

The ITV 10.30 news coverage was very very positive. It could almost have been written by central office itself. ITV had a panel of students watching the speech at Bournemouth Poly. Before the speech only 2 would have considered voting for cameron, after the speech all 10 would have. Their commentator said that Labour should be 'very worried'. Its a shame nobody watches ITV anymore!