The growing reputation of George Osborne

Tim Montgomerie

George Osborne said some interesting things in his speech...

• He confirmed this morning's press reports that he will introduce Enterprise Zones to boost Britain's poorest regions. Did you know, he said, during Labour's years, "for every ten jobs created by business in the south, just one job was created in the north and the midlands".
• He said "I hear you" to the campaigners for lower petrol duty. His imminent Budget is almost certainly going to do something for motorists.

...but the most interesting thing was how he ranged beyond his brief...

• In a passage opposing electoral reform he made a good joke about AV: "Let me shock you: on AV, I agree with Nick Clegg. It is, as he says, a ‘miserable little compromise’."
• He made some neocon noises on foreign policy: "Freedom and peace are not alternatives – they are indivisible. Democracy and stability are not alternatives – they are indivisible. British interests and the values of liberty and open society are not alternatives – they are indivisible. The British people and the cause of freedom – we are indivisible."
• He set out his "on your side" philosophy: "The postal worker and the train driver who serve their community with pride, see their country needs their help, and sees instead their union taking them out on strike... The young woman, setting out on life, with a great idea for a new business – but who sees nothing but obstacles in her path. The young man, who wants to get off benefits and into a job, and make something of his life, but can’t see the point if the Government takes away more than 90 pence for every pound he earns... This Party.  This Government. This Chancellor.  We are all going to be on your side."

Three journalists have asked me today if they think Osborne could be a future leader. The idea wasn't even on their radar a year ago...

• They know the Government works to his timetable. His spending reviews, his Budgets, his political appointments. He has cleverly set the framework for the government but only makes big interventions on set piece occasions....
• He doesn't give too many speeches or give many interviews. He only says something when he has something to say. He leaves individual ministers to defend departmental cuts...
• They know he has a formidable team - his Chief of Staff Rupert Harrison is perhaps the most impressive ministerial adviser in the whole government and his PPS, Greg Hands, is building more and more support within the parliamentary party...
• They know he inspires loyalty. He is very loyal to the band of aides and ministers who have ever been in his orbit and they return it...
• They know he is flexible - moving to a focus on growth in what will soon be his second year at 11 Downing Street. They know that his economic agenda is increasingly popular with grassroots Tories - he's second in ConHome's league table.

This isn't to say that Osborne is a danger to Cameron. Not one bit. They are allies. There are no TB/GBs in this government. The fact is that if Osborne succeeds the government succeeds. If the economy is fixed - after what he described as a long, hard road - Osborne will be the hero. Sometime in the middle of the next parliament - if, if, if the Conservatives are re-elected - when there are a few more grey hairs on Osborne's head - he may well become Cameron's successor.