'Let us be the change' says Mahatma Cameron

Painting the walls of a few Manchester homes is not to be the end of the Conservative activist's commitment to social action. As activists left the conference hall, after David Cameron's speech, they were handed a wavenetwork leaflet entitled 'be the change'.  Within the leaflet David Cameron encouraged activists to recognise that "personal action is the most powerful way to bring about change".  Ten changes "to change your world and environment" were recommended to Tory activists:

1. Take the bus when you can
2. Get to know your neighbours better
3. Pick up one piece of litter from the street everyday
4. Re-use your plastic bags when you go to the shops
5. Switch to energy efficiency light bulbs at home
6. Reduce your thermostat by 2 degrees
7. Support your local shopkeepers
8. Don't overfill your kettle
9. Fill out a donor card
10. Give blood.

Related link: David Cameron's New Year message invokes Gandhi.

00.30am addition on Monday morning: Download be_the_change.pdf.

Comments

[Yet Another Anon]

>>>>1. Take the bus when you can<<<<
It's less environmentally damaging not to take the bus at all if you don't need to, walking is more environmentally friendly.

>>>>2. Get to know your neighbours better<<<<
Depends, they might be low life scum totally undeserving of anything.

>>>>5. Switch to energy efficiency light bulbs at home<<<<
LED are the most efficent although still not possible to get hold of in shops, depend what you want, I rather favour Halogen bulbs - I like full spectrum lighting and it's easier to see by than other narrower spectrum lighting.

>>>>6. Reduce your thermostat by 2 degrees<<<<
Depends on what your thermostat was already set at, surely minimise energy use is a better principle.

>>>>7. Support your local shopkeepers<<<<
Depends on what they're like, they might be a bunch of crooks who charge as much over the odds as they can get away with and don't put prices on anything and let the food go off.

[Don Meaker]

Ten Conservative Commandments
1. Carry a gun everywhere you go to protect yourself and your family.
2. Work hard, live cheap, and save for the future.
3. Love your family, remember their birthdays.
4. Vote against all tax increases, or those who support them.
5. Identify one law a month that the world would be better without, and write your representitives to get it deleted.
6. Keep your car gas tank at least half full.
7. Keep at least a week of food stockpiled.
8. Keep a gallon of bleach, so that you can purify water in emergencies.
9. Never lie. Ever. About anything. You may fool others, but you can't fool yourself. If you lie, you are in danger of becoming a liberal. If you believe the lies you tell yourself, you are a liberal.
10. Never ask the government for permission.

[Fred Z]

1. "Take the bus when you can." Always do things as stupidly and inefficiently as possible. We have proved that the market works and central control fails, that the mainframe is dead and decentralized processing is best, so by all means let's use the transportation equivalent of the central planning mainframe. The auto is a personal computer. Use it, dumbass.
2. "Get to know your neighbours better." Why? Sap headed twaddle.
3. Pick up one piece of litter from the street everyday. My advice is to look for a litterbug and pound him one in the head.
4. "Re-use your plastic bags when you go to the shops." Can you add dumbass? The plastic bags have a worth of 2 pennies. Your time is worth 10 times the amount in question, 100 times. WE ARE NOT RUNNING OUT OF LAND FOR RUBBISH AND ONLY A FOOL THINKS WE ARE.
5. "Switch to energy efficiency light bulbs at home." Trivial and condescending; for this I did not need any political party.
6. "Reduce your thermostat by 2 degrees." You reduce your own goddam thermostat, arsehole. I'll save resources where I want, not where you tell me to. I have just turned UP my thermostat by 2 degrees.
7. "Support your local shopkeepers." You mean those fellas who have been over charging me for years? Not bloody likely.
8. "Don't overfill your kettle." Jesus H. Christ.
9. "Fill out a donor card" and 10. "Give blood." two. out. of. ten. maybe.

You people are hopeless.

[verulamgal]

What a load of patronising bulls**t!

If this is the best the Boy Wonder can come
up with then, I can't ever see us getting back into power.

Why vote for the monkey when you can have the organ grinder?

[James Maskell]

Ive just had a look at the rest of the booklet...one question, how much did it cost and approximately how much environmental damage did the making of this booklet make? Second question, what was he use of the other four pages...the list could be by itself and have a fifth of the environmental impact...

[Henry Whitmarsh]

In the real world this was seen as a timely step in the right direction. The Conservative Party is showing that it can adopt environmental measures which are the right side of possible. If you want real environmental policy rather than pie in the sky then vote for us. This pamphlet shows that we live in the real world, where there is only so much we can expect individuals to do. Small changes which add up to a big difference. Isn't that an individualistic market driven stance?

"The auto is a personal computer. Use it, dumbass." - No. Lots of reasons. The oil is running out. The air won't be fit to breathe. There soon won't be enough space on the roads. Public transport is cheaper. There is nowhere to park it.

"WE ARE NOT RUNNING OUT OF LAND FOR RUBBISH AND ONLY A FOOL THINKS WE ARE" - Yes, actually we are. Just remember, we fill the Albert Hall twice every hour. The only alternative is to burn it, have you ever put a used battery in with your household waste?

""Switch to energy efficiency light bulbs at home." Trivial and condescending; for this I did not need any political party" - It saves you money, which you'll need to pay for petrol, electricity and lighting when we have to buy all our gas and oil from overseas.

"Keep a gallon of bleach, so that you can purify water in emergencies" - Yes, do the world a favor.

[Lugo]

The list reminds me of Robocop II, when the corporation filled Robocop's head up with a huge set of feelgood nonsense rules that distracted him from his basic purpose.

[Richard North]

"In the real world this was seen as a timely step in the right direction. The Conservative Party is showing that it can adopt environmental measures which are the right side of possible..."

So you're admitting that CP policy is that people should not overfill their kettles?

Wonderful. Blair must be terrified.

[Jonathan Sheppard]

Slightly off topic... I happen to be interviewing Zac Goldsmith tomorrow - and would be delighted to put any questions on the environment which you would like him to answer (time permitting). Do let me know.

[Selsdon Man]

What is his proposed policy on kettle filling?

Does he have a windmill on the roof of his house?

How often does he cycle or take a bus instead of driving?

[James Maskell]

Cheers for the offer Jonathan...heres one.

"How does the Conservative Party marry relaxing the planning system with helping to 'protect our green fields'? The two policies seem contradictory."

Here in Thanet, developers seem to get their way over genuine local concerns, much to their dismay. Theres a lot of frustration and a belief by constituents that local communities' concerns are ignored and that Britain's greenfields are simply being concreted over with no regard for the consequences.

Thanks again.

[Jonathan Sheppard]

Cutting Selsdon, cutting - but made me laugh! I do however always think it fair to ask those who are behind a certain policy, how far they adopt the behaviours they expect others to follow - so good points!

[Christina]

No 11. Be kind to your pets, and other people's pets.

No 12. If you are pet-less, buy a pet.

No 13. To show your compassion, talk about your pets.

No 14. Consider a change of career to be a vet, and help pets.

No 15. Do not misunderstand the positive and compassionate petting message, as Boris Johnson does.

:-)

[johnC]

I tried to follow this advice. I didn't overfill my kettle so the element burnt out. This blew a fuse so now my light bulbs are extremely energy efficient (they're not working at all !) and my thermostat has been reduced by far more than 2 degrees. I decided not to drive to Tesco's and buy a new kettle but to catch a bus to my local shop carrying a used plastic bag. Unfortunately I live in Btixton so when I was standing at the bus stop I was mugged and was left bleeding on the ground with the plastic bag over my head. So I was able to give a lot of blood, and to get to know my neighbours better when they picked me up and took me to hospital, and they were even able to pick up one piece of litter from the street (my plastic bag). Now I'm in intensive care and not expected to pull through but fortunately I've signed my donor card so now I can 'be the change' for someone else !
Thank you, David Cameron.

[Tragedy Police]

There's rather a disturbing prevalence of got-nothing-better-to-do-with-my-sad-life hokum on this thread. Yes it was a happy clappy leaflet... but was the sentiment so anathema? Offensive? Wrong?
Come on children, let's raise the bar a little.

[James Maskell]

Its not that its offensive or wrong. Its just amateurish. Its not professional or sensible to be handing out lists telling people what to do.

[michael]

It's great - a different message from a business-like conference in a new City location. Good stuff.

I have to say it's difficult to be encouraged to use energy efficient lightbulbs when one 100watt bulb costs £7 while on the same Asda shelf an ordinary 100watt bulb costs 18p!

[johnC]

It certainly was anathema to those of us who deplore the nannying tendencies of modern government, offensive to those attending the spring conference to imply that their conduct and behaviour was the main obstacle to the changes needed in this country, and wrong in political terms to adopt such a priggish and sanctimonious approach. If anyone is incapable of mature and serious political thought it is the author of this leaflet, not its critics.

[Tragedy Police]

Not sure if you've actually seen this document... Do 10 tips equate to being told what to do? Where does it say YOU MUST... It doesn't.
There's a bit of a hysteria vibe going on here. By all means utterly reject it, but always keep the venom accurate. It gives your position far greater fortitude.

[Christina]

"Come on children, let's raise the bar a little."

No 16. If you have a budgie, raise the bar.

No 17. If you have a cockatiel, lower the bar.

:-)

[Political Animal]

I agree with TPolice. It was just a harmless leaflet issued by a think tank (a subtlty lost on most of these contributors) with some old-school sentiments about giving a damn. I do not understand the over-reaction.

[Political Animal]

subtlety :)

[James Maskell]

Its hardly subtle. The implication of the list is that if you arent wanting to change the environment, which would be by doing the list, you would be standing against it. Its a rubbish argument to make that because its not demanding you do it, that they arent telling you to do it. Its subliminal messages. Look behind the obvious.

This was handed out to everyone at ther Spring Forum. This isnt nothing. Its designed to be important.

[Tragedy Police]

So... Hmmm... if you're not interested in improvement - ipso facto, you're pro-apocalypse? Because this leaflet wasn't issued by The Conservative Party, written very clearly on the back, you are leaping to erroneous conclusions about its origination.
Your objections verge on conspiracy theory and depart from a well-considered logical appraisal of an ephemeral leaflet. Try and be objective.

[James Maskell]

It was the Conservative Party Spring Forum. I dont see where I am leaping to erroneous conclusions. The Conservative Party would have made sure it knew exactly what literature was going about. If it didnt approve of it it wouldnt be allowing it to be distributed there.

[Political Animal]

I bet Mr Maskell's homework used to say things like "read the question next time"; "nice effort but really shape your argument around the facts as they are presented"; "no guessing"

I thought the leaflet was nothing special. I am more bothered by the irrational ramblings on here. And, yes, I suppose the difference between a political party and a think tank isn't so subtle.

One may end up running the country whereas the tank (Wave) - publisher in this case - merely peddle ideas and suggestions.

[James Maskell]

If in doubt start petty insults...

Cameron makes his speech saying "be the change", then a leaflet is handed out to all and sundry with a list of things to do, saying how you can "be the change". The wave network has already been plugged in previous speeches and is a Conservative party affiliated think tank. You can hardly call it "suggestions" when Cameron is plugging the organisations and implying that if you arent being the change you arent helping the party.

Cameron writes the foreword for this leaflet! This is basically a Conservative Party leaflet.

[Selsdon Man]

James Maskell, Wave Network has no formal connection with the Conservative Party. It is a pressure group just like the Tory Reform Group and Conservative Way Forward. The fact that Wave Network is allowed to promote itself at an official party event is unprecedented.

[Selsdon Man]

"Cutting Selsdon, cutting - but made me laugh!"

That was the intention, Jonathan. Patsy Sergeant liked my "safety tip" list too.

More will follow.....

[Selsdon Man]

Rob G - "Conservative Home--Conservatives (and ex-Conservatives) sitting at home and moaning into their keyboards."

I been working on my local election campaign rather wasting money being patronised in Manchester. It was the careerists who go along with this nonsense who need to get out more.

[Plonker]

From CCHQ: Remember to cook your food and bury your dead.

[Yet Another Anon]

It rather reminds me about the joke where a New Labour MP\Activist etc.... (delete as applicable) goes to the barber and asks for a cut but says that the headphones absolutely must stay on he has been told it's absolutely vital.

Turns out that the barber can't reach some of the hair and so the customer agrees to the removal of the headphones, barber finishes cutting the hair then only to find out that the customer has died so he listens to the headphones to hear what they are saying and every so often the word breathe is heard.

[Gary Cartwright]

I didn't overfill my kettle yesterday, and when I woke up this morning the world was still a mess. Conservative policies obviously don't work, so I'm voting UKIP in May!

[Tom O'Gorman]

At this rate of going, Cameron won't be around in another 100 days. All spin and no substance. New Labour managed to hold on to its leftish base by giving it everything it wanted on "moral issues", witness its slavish devotion to the homosexual lobby and its utterly failed sex education strategy. How is Cameron going to hold on to his base? Just agreeing with them on the euro isn't enough.

If I were Liam Fox, I'd be quietly smirking.

[Yet Another Anon]

>>>>If I were Liam Fox, I'd be quietly smirking.<<<<
Who would actually replace David Cameron, in a situation in which another leader leaves either as a result of being removed or pressured out after a very short time, whoever replaced him would probably have it in their mind that most people whether floating voters or Core Conservative voters or anyone else would question whether they mean't what they said and even if they did whether they would simply be removed and replaced after the following election and under those circumstances there would be little prospect of the Conservative Party making any progress at a General Election.

Local Elections don't neccessarily show much - Labour got 35% of the vote in the 1983 Local Elections and 27% in the General Election, especially if the local party seems quite reasonable then people are more likely to back them because even if they make a mess of things life goes on and there are limits set by National Government, National Government on the other hand in it's role as a General Overseer has the potential to cause an absolute disaster and if people have any doubts about them then they are liable not to take the risk of voting them in.

[CDM]

Such venom! Such vitriol! This leaflet truly is pathetic, and everyone I know who's read it (both Tory and non-Tory) all think that it's patronising nonsense, and won't make anyone more likely to vote Tory.

Let's see how we do on May 4th: if we end up losing seats (remember, the last elections took place under IDS!) how long do we reckon Cameron has?

[Anti-Cameron Tory]

Hi. Just surfed onto this site and I'm really elated to see how nearly everybody has it in for Cameron.

Everybody I know is totally fed up with the man. The sooner he goes the better.

What a loser.

[matt wright]

I think the concept of the leaflet ie that we can all make a difference and that we need to show that Conservatives care, is important but it looks in this case like the execution of the concept was not good. Cameron definately has the right approach but his people need to get the practicalities and substance right. There are very many Conservative councillors who have been doing good community work for years, we need more of them and for the most part that simply menas we need to find more candidates and get them campaigning early in wards. None of this is rocket science. Get some practical action in place and we can win. More practical, creative people and less gimmicks and we will win.

Matt

[James Maskell]

Anyone think it strange that despite having Cameron, a relatively new leader, we are expecting to lose seats in this years elections? How can a loss in the elections be seen as a win?

[CDM]

"Anyone think it strange that despite having Cameron, a relatively new leader, we are expecting to lose seats in this years elections? How can a loss in the elections be seen as a win?"

Let's be reasonable, and see the results of the local elections before we pour boiling oil on the new leader. Let's remember that there have been predictions of gains as well as losses, and 1992 showed that you should never trust any opinion poll.

While I am far from content with the direction of the Cameron leadership, it does seem rather self-defeating to go into a spout of criticism just before the local elections. In truth we don't know how the electorate will react to Cameron in his first big test, but I think we'd all agree that gains would be better than losses. If we do lose seats and the Cameron regime ends so be it, but let's not undermine our chances of giving the British people better self-government with futile in-fighting.

[Anti-Cameron Tory]

"Anyone think it strange that despite having Cameron, a relatively new leader, we are expecting to lose seats in this years elections? How can a loss in the elections be seen as a win?"

Cameron is a born loser. What a disaster the party didn't choose Dave Davis. I used to be in the FCS with him years ago and he's a great guy.

Any ideas who is the anonymous Shadow Cabinet member briefing against Cameron in the Telegraph?

[Andrew]

The WaveNetwork URL is defunct & for sale. Has the tide gone out?