Duncan Crossey is Political Director of the Henry Jackson Society, and President & Founder of the Disraelian Union.
The last few weeks may very well prove to be the self-defining of Cameronism – finally.
For years commentators, supporters and opponents alike have sought the philosophical backing of the man who has in the space of less than ten years rapidly and seamlessly gone from newly elected MP, Shadow Cabinet, Leader of the Opposition to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
His own lack of self-definition, until now, may have assisted in his rise up the greasy pole. It may be a failure of clear communication – ironic as the result has been that he has for years been portrayed and derided by his opponents as merely a smooth talking marketing man; his achievement to date the detoxification of the Conservative Party, but not successfully enough to win power for the Conservative Party outright.
Over the last few weeks, everything has changed.
It started with Mr Cameron relaunching the Big Society to revitalise local communities, hand power to voluntary organisations and change the way Britain is run; its success his ‘mission’ in politics; social recovery his passion.
Defending his concept Mr Cameron dismissed suggestions that the Big Society was too vague to mean anything. "True, it doesn't follow some grand plan or central design. But that's because the whole approach of building a bigger, stronger, more active society involves something of a revolt against the top down, statist approach of recent years," he said. "The Big Society is about changing the way our country is run. That's why the Big Society is here to stay."