Today's Telegraph makes a list of Gordon's domestic and international kitchen cabinets...
In the international list are Alan Greenspan, Bono, Nelson Mandela and Bill Gates.
On the domestic list are Sir Alan Sugar, the Chief Rabbi and Ed Balls.
How do the 'Friends of Gordon' compare with the 'Friends of Dave'?
Celebrity FoDs must include Zac Goldsmith and Adam Rickitt. Bob Geldof probably doesn't qualify as a 'friend' but he's certainly helping with the policy groups - as are Pauline Neville-Jones and Lord Robin Butler. Which notables am I missing?
I always wondered why Alan Sugar appeared in that short video giving 'advice' to the Conservative party earlier in the year on This Week. Seems strange for one of Gordon's friends to be giving us advice.
Anyway, I think Dave needs some more impressive friends, Zac come accross as far too upper class for my liking on the last edition of QT while I struggle to take Adam Rickett seriously. Then again, some of us want to win the next election without the image based politics.
Posted by: Matthew Oxley | February 06, 2006 at 04:31
Liked Alan Sugar on The Apprentice but being friends with Gordon Brown, puts him down a lot in my estimation. If Cameron wants to 'get down with us kids' he could try befriending a few pop-cultural legends, Timmy Mallet, Pat Sharp and the one and only Mr T. to name just a few.
Posted by: Rob Largan | February 06, 2006 at 04:40
Reading the Guardian leader - which comes out against Straw & Hain and for Davis & Grieve - perhaps Cameron will be attracting more interesting friends soon.
Mandela, Bono, Gates et al are 'friends' with those who can offer them support. Gordon is in position of power and influence now but if DC is seen as the coming thing they are just as likely to cosy up to us as to NuLab.
Posted by: Ted | February 06, 2006 at 08:58
Interesting piece. Can't help feeling it's more important to select the right sort of candidates though. Candidates loyal to Cameron who reflect a changed party. Those are the friends we want.
Posted by: Frank Young | February 06, 2006 at 09:24
What about Senator McCain on the international front?
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | February 06, 2006 at 11:07
"Anyway, I think Dave needs some more impressive friends, Zac come accross as far too upper class for my liking on the last edition of QT while I struggle to take Adam Rickett seriously."
What's wrong with being upper class?
Alan Sugar is undoubtedly a successful business man but he can come across as rather unpleasant.
Posted by: Richard | February 06, 2006 at 12:17
I thought everyone was Nelson Mandela's best friend?
Posted by: John Hustings | February 06, 2006 at 15:53
I had a feeling somebody might have that take on my words. There's nothing wrong at all with being upper class, I said he comes accross *too* upper class for my liking, the electorate don't always connect well to these sorts.
Why do you think the media made such a fuss about Dave's roots, finding links to Queen etc if they didnt think it might make a difference to people's views?
I don't have an ounce of socialist jealousy in me whatsoever, but I think we understand that a lot of people do.
Posted by: Matthew Oxley | February 06, 2006 at 15:57
Alan Sugar = too common
Zac Goldfinger = too posh
Adam Rickets = too pre-welfare state disease of poor nutrition
I think the Arctic Monkeys should be our candidates ... that song of theirs is tfull of the sort of despairing horror at modern Britain that strikes a chord with me.
Posted by: Graeme Archer | February 06, 2006 at 16:00
Arcitic Monkeys, dont get me started, they are the most overrated band in the UK toady.
Posted by: Rob Largan | February 06, 2006 at 16:10
should be today, rather than toady.
Posted by: Rob Largan | February 06, 2006 at 16:11
... I thought everyone was Nelson Mandela's best friend?
Except Winnie, obviously.
Posted by: James Hellyer | February 06, 2006 at 16:14
"... I thought everyone was Nelson Mandela's best friend?
Except Winnie, obviously."
And our old pal Peter Twitchens.
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | February 06, 2006 at 16:26
"I had a feeling somebody might have that take on my words. There's nothing wrong at all with being upper class, I said he comes accross *too* upper class for my liking, the electorate don't always connect well to these sorts."
I thought that's what you meant but I thought I'd double check.
Posted by: Richard | February 06, 2006 at 16:27
I think you're overlooking the magnificant Derek Laud from Big Brother 2005 who was one of the first to come out in favour of Dave.
Posted by: Chris | February 06, 2006 at 17:11
Shocked that I am not on the list of David's friends! Well actually I just wanted to post a comment from 30,000 feet on the way to Australia with my wife of 2 days!! I think I am on her A list!!
Posted by: Jonathan Sheppard | February 06, 2006 at 22:32
We can count on Jim Davidson. And I think Frank Bruno's one of us.
Posted by: john Skinner | February 06, 2006 at 22:32
You won't be on her A-list for very long Jonathan if you spend much time on sites like this!
Congratulations and have a woooonderful honeymoon.
Posted by: Editor | February 06, 2006 at 22:34
Congratulations Jonathan.
Posted by: James Maskell | February 06, 2006 at 23:54
Alan Greenspan was a close associate of Ayn Rand. He should be advising Messrs Cameron, Letwin and Osborne.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | February 07, 2006 at 19:01