David Cameron has drafted the most interesting definition of conservatism since the Thatcher-Reagan era. In the 1980s it was enough for Conservatives to focus on the size of government, crime, trade union power and national security. Cameron, like George W Bush in 1999, knew that conservatism had to be broader and gentler. Unlike George W Bush, Cameron arrives in office with a four year policy development process under his belt, coordinated by Oliver Letwin and Steve Hilton.
The ideas were hard to communicate in opposition but plans for transparency of government contracts, payment-of-contractors by results, greater localism and reform of Whitehall offer massive potential. Influential think tanks like the Centre for Social Justice have spent years developing Cameron’s approach to fighting poverty. In Michael Gove the Tory leader has one of the brightest political thinkers of his generation, and who has drafted the flagship new schools policy.It won’t be easy. The public finances are in a mess. The new government is very inexperienced. Even aligned with the Liberal Democrats the Tories are a minority government in the Lords.
And yet, there’s hope and possibility. If, in government, Cameron can occupy the full political stage – blending traditional Conservatism on tax, crime and immigration with new messages on the environment, poverty-fighting and civil liberties - he could yet realign British politics. His alliance with Nick Clegg adds a fascinating extra dimension to that realignment narrative.
