ConservativeHome's General Election Review (executive summary here/ contents page here), concluded with ten recommendations.
Two of this review's recommendations overlap:
- The appointment of a conventional Chief of Staff to head David Cameron's office and ensure fast, definite decision-making.
- The appointment of a full-time, experienced campaigns co-ordinator who reports directly to the party leader. Lynton Crosby who ran the party's 2005 campaign provides a model.
When meeting campaign insiders for this review two of the most common things said were 'there have been no major fallings out' and 'decisions aren't taken'. Those two observations are obviously connected.
The roles of chief of staff to the leader and campaign co-ordinator are different but they both address a key weakness in the Tory election campaign; inconclusive discussions. Staff inside CCHQ, suppliers to CCHQ and journalists complained of a lack of clear direction and inconsistent messages. A strong Chief of Staff or/and campaign co-ordinator is needed to bang heads together when there are disagreements and to ensure that those disagreements are resolved. Steve Hilton is accused by many of a volcanic temper - something he concedes. He often erupts because of the failure of the machine to function decisively. A strong Leo McGarry-style force within the operation will ensure key themes are chosen and then prosecuted. The figure could also resolve the creative tensions within the team - personified by Steve Hilton, strategy director, and Andy Coulson, communications director.
David Cameron's existing chief of staff, Ed Llewellyn is popular and trusted on foreign policy but, for whatever reason, does not fulfil the role recommended here.
