ConservativeHome has become the place where British conservatives come together to debate the direction of the Tory Party and the other issues that motivate them. The last week was another record week for ConservativeHome with traffic up 10% on the previous week's high. These pages are full of life, energy, laughter and anger every day, but...
Can we turn our online community into an online campaign? That's the hope of today's launch of the Chameleon Army.
We all saw last Tuesday's DaveTheChameleon attack on David Cameron. A second instalment is now online. Some of us see desperation in the nature of Labour's attacks. It reminded William Norton of Nye Bevan's 'the Tories are lower than vermin' remarks of 1948. Vermin Clubs sprang up all over the country in response to Nevan's attack with the aim of recruiting new Tory members for the Conservatives. Those who recruited ten new party members wore badges identifying them as 'vile vermin'; those who recruited twenty were 'very vile vermin'. Margaret Thatcher was an early member of the Vermin Club.
The Chameleon Army is the 21st century equivalent of the Vermin Club. It's not interested in recruiting Tory members. It wants to spread understanding of conservative ideas on the internet. The Army will create and fund viral email campaigns against all enemies of conservatism.
In last week's Telegraph Alice Thomson was sure that Labour had picked the wrong animal...
"The chameleon actually looks rather sweet, cycling around London in a huge helmet. But chameleons wouldn't have been the animal I'd have chosen. For a start, they are extremely smart at outwitting their foe. The word means "earth lion", so named because of their ferocious behaviour. If you surprise a chameleon, it will inflate its body, hiss and lunge forward. Contrary to popular belief, their colour changes are not just the result of their surroundings, but are an expression of mood - they play a part in communication and rivalry fights. Chameleons use their tongue to capture prey and their strong jaws to crush it. Even the smallest chameleon is capable of eating a praying mantis. Labour HQ might like to think again."
ConservativeHome's ChameleonArmy.com is today launching a £2,000 prize fund to engage the creative minds of Britain's conservative movement (and anyone wanting to earn a few pounds). We want ideas for mini-videos and viral email campaigns that can be used against Labour or any other enemy of conservatism. We're looking for humour and bite. There's a lot of material out there - the NHS crisis, loans-for-peerages, mass prisoner releases... The best three ideas will be put on the forthcoming ChameleonArmy.com website and visitors will have the chance to vote on which one will be developed into a major campaign. Those entries that have already been programmed into usable forms will be strongly preferred for the shortlist of three.
The winner of the online vote will receive a £1,000 cheque and 5% of any revenues generated by an appeal that will accompany it. The two shortlisted runners-up will both receive £500.
Please feel free to propose ideas in the thread below but the preference would be for ideas to be kept confidential at this stage by emailing [email protected]. The deadline for entries is a fortnight today, 10th May.
The Chameleon Army is not part of the Conservative Party and all Full Rainbow Chameleon members of the army will take part in a special vote to choose whether the army's second campaign should be against the whole idea of taxpayer-funding of political parties (something advocated by David Cameron). How do you become a Full Rainbow Chameleon member? Here's how...
You can be a FULL RAINBOW CHAMELEON if you make a £100+ donation to the Fighting Fund.
You can be a KOMODO DRAGON CHAMELEON if you contribute £50.
You can be a JUNIOR LIZARD CHAMELEON if you contribute £20 to the Chameleon Army's Fighting Fund.
Please enlist in the Chameleon Army by making a donation - through the standard ConservativeHome PayPal account - of whatever amount by clicking on the link below...
I'll have to get back to you on this. Good idea though.
Posted by: Chris Palmer | April 26, 2006 at 15:03
Sadly enough I don't have a TV at school so I’ve missed all the chameleon stuff. I’ve just now watched it on the web and have to say....it's bloody fantastic!!!! Made me laugh!
Posted by: Frank Young | April 26, 2006 at 15:24
Are there any banner images planned for those skint tories like me to plant on our respective blogs?
Posted by: Ranting Guttersnipe | April 26, 2006 at 15:25
Yes: links for the sidebars of blogs will certainly be part of what we do, Mr Ranting Guttersnipe.
Posted by: Editor | April 26, 2006 at 15:30
It's not interested in recruiting Tory members. It wants to spread understanding of conservative ideas on the internet. The Army will create and fund viral email campaigns against all enemies of conservatism.
A small c campaign, great!
Tim, does this mean the Chameleon Army will independently support campaigns that oppose unconservative policies coming from Cameron too?
Now, that I welcome as the national id database, epp membership and state funding of political parties are three big government policies that are clearly enemies of conservatism.
Posted by: Chad | April 26, 2006 at 15:33
Yes, it is a small 'c' campaign, Chad. It can be deployed against the Tory Party if 'Full Rainbow Chameleon soldiers' of the army vote to do so but that's not its primary or even secondary intent. This is about the obvious enemies of conservatism. I hope you'll make an entry - putting your creative skills to the service of causing Labour some problems...
Posted by: Editor | April 26, 2006 at 15:41
Fantastic, well done Tim. You are indeed a small c conservative hero.
I hope you'll make an entry - putting your creative skills to the service of causing Labour some problems...
Of course. GordonBrownMP.org is of course already live, and I think this preening, soviet-leader style satire could be effective, but I do have a firm idea about the national id database that I think will clearly highlight its danger.
I'll email you the details.
Posted by: Chad | April 26, 2006 at 15:45
This is a mistake. You are reinforcing the image and ramming it home. Dont underestimate Labour. This thing has been tested and focussed - it resonates - and for all we know may be right. You have to remember Dave goes down will in London and the SE but, but we win there already - what effect does this have in skeptical Darlington, or Preston, or Scotland where we need to win as well??
Posted by: Hmmmm | April 26, 2006 at 15:47
I imagine CocaCola tested NewC oke & that bottled water drink - if we adopt the Chameleon then it will make people associate the cuddly with our image.
Posted by: Ted | April 26, 2006 at 16:03
If anyone is itching for unofficial memorabilia, by a happy coincidence you can buy Chameleon Army t-shirts and other things here!
Posted by: Deputy Editor | April 26, 2006 at 16:38
I think this is a great idea although I too have my reservations. It could be that the advert itself doesn't bite but Cameron does become seen as a chameleon which undermines later policy commitments.
Nonetheless we have to go on the offensive with it. If it is a dangerous weapon Labour will be pushing it anyway and we will have to neutralise it. Much better to hug it close and mitigate any potential positives for Labour.
Their problem, of course, is that the lack of any mention of what's positive about a Labour vote means the chameleon will always be a reminder of just how out of steam this administration is.
I'm on board, Tim.
Posted by: Edward | April 26, 2006 at 17:25
Taking the name on proudly as a badge of honour diffuses the attack - it has happened throughout history with the names of political movements, Christian denominations etc becoming proudly known by what they were initially smeared as.
Eclectech is also very good with animations and images.
Posted by: Deputy Editor | April 26, 2006 at 17:44
"Taking the name on proudly as a badge of honour diffuses the attack - it has happened throughout history with the names of political movements,"
Like Tory!
Posted by: Richard | April 26, 2006 at 18:06
Like "Desert Rats", after Rommel sneered at the British Army in Tobruk, "skulking in cellars like rats".
Posted by: Richard North | April 26, 2006 at 18:33
Where did the 2 grand come from?
Posted by: Full Disclosure please | April 26, 2006 at 18:37
Can the party or some its supporters not develop and publicise a campaign along the lines of Tony the Lying Toad!
p.s-is there any chance of getting 'i love dave the chameleon' or 'dave the chameleon for prime minister' tshirts printed-cos i would have 1
Posted by: felicity | April 26, 2006 at 18:53
I think BackingBlair has got it right. How dare "New" Labour have a go at the Tories for rebranding themselves a little? If we're chameleons what does that make them?
Posted by: Henry Whitmarsh | April 26, 2006 at 19:19
"How dare "New" Labour have a go at the Tories for rebranding themselves a little?"
By "the Tories" you mean Cameron and his acolytes. And by "rebranding themselves" you mean dishonestly presenting themselves as friends to whomever they are currently courting while preparing a knifing in the back.
Who would voluntarily present himself as someone who takes on (or pretends to take on) the colour of his surroundings - as a smooth-tongued deceiver, in other words?
Posted by: Damian | April 26, 2006 at 19:48
Wait? Surely the Chameleon Army isn't going to run Chad's ads attacking Cameron?
It's the Chameleon Army... Dave the Chameleon. If you want ads attacking Cameron then there is already a website and it's had a hell of a lot more than 2k spent on it.
Some people.
I'm a student and, hence, don't have £100 going for political campaigns but if the thing becomes the "Imagine Party"'s version of the Labour chameleon broadcast I'll have an angry fit.
Posted by: Matthew Sinclair | April 26, 2006 at 20:02
There is surely a difference between Labour's Chameleon advert and the Bevan 'vermin' remarks. Labour's attack is directed specifically at Cameron himself and applies much less to Tory members, whereas Bevan's remark applied to all who would label themselves a Tory.
I'm not personally offended by Labour attacking David Cameron. I happen to think he deserves it.
Posted by: John Hustings | April 26, 2006 at 20:21
I'd gladly set up a shop for Chameleon Army merchandise like shirts and such using www.spreadshirt.net to help raise funds for the project.
Its a great idea, and I like its "small c" conservative nature, especially campaigning against state funding of parties!
How about a campaign against EU membership and in favour of free (fair) trade? Later on of course.
Adopting an attack as a badge of honour is always the best way. Laughing off childish and hypocritical attacks makes them look bad, but makes you look the innocent victim and also look a damn decent person for laughing it off instead of taking offence (which looks equally childish, spoilt brat like and thin skinned).
Forwards for the chameleon army!
Posted by: DavidB | April 26, 2006 at 20:34
Wait? Surely the Chameleon Army isn't going to run Chad's ads attacking Cameron?
Matthew, as Tim has noted, the aim is not to target Cameron, but to target enemies of small c conservatism. I see that as a focussed issues-based, not personal approach.
The three issues I listed are identically supported by Labour as the CamComs, so any such attack would be an attack on an unconservative policy supported by the two main parties, not Cameron alone.
For example even Labour's Diane Abbott has detailed her firm opposition to the idea of state funding of political parties in this evening's Evening Standard.
Drop the rosettes, and tribalism, and focus on attacking those who oppose your values, the values of small c conservatism, no matter which party those people reside.
If you are looking for a scheme to blindly support the Tory Party, from how Tim has clearly described it, this is not that scheme.
This is about conservatism, not the Conservative Party.
Posted by: Chad | April 26, 2006 at 20:39
Chad
The main enemy of conservatism in the UK are the Labour & LibDems parties and their associates, the policies they expouse, their approach to big government, to a dependency culture etc.
Sorry but I don't see a chameleon army as one pressurising the Conservative Party but one taking forward conservative principles and opposing the big battalions against us. Membership of the EPP is a continuation of the navel gazing this party has suffered from.
Today the ID card Database is less important that Charles Clarke's next Criminal Justice Bill (or perhaps Alan Johnson's one) as one is a distant threat the other a too real further reduction in our rights in months. Today the mismanagement of the Health Service is more important, the fate of our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan more important. Political funding might get a response from the public when they are asked but do non politicos raise it, does it really rate in day to day life?
In a conservative coaliton there are boundaries. It's for Conservative Party members to pressurise their leadership on EPP, on our policy on political funding, on the Conservative Party policy on candidate selection.
Conservative coalitions work when they look outwards not inwards - deal with the common enemies outside the coalition. We can share ideas, support each other where we agree, try to influence.
Posted by: Ted | April 26, 2006 at 21:06
Ted, you are absolutely spot on. We should be turned outwards against the foes of conservatism. This umbrella organisation is not the place to air grievances against the Tory party. If you think David Cameron is a part of an elite cabal who will secretly sell us out to Brussels, then keep it to yourself whilst participating in this campaign. Turn your invective against Labour and the LibDems.
To put it crudely, piss out of the tent, not inside.
Posted by: True Blue | April 26, 2006 at 21:16
The main enemy of conservatism in the UK are the Labour & LibDems parties and their associates, the policies they expouse, their approach to big government, to a dependency culture etc.
Hi Ted,
Yes I agree, but if you think that means just blindly voting Tory as the least-worst choice, you are greatly mistaken.
Open your eyes and look outside. The choice-of-3 political system is no longer in place. It may be early days, but it is happening. I'm sure the local elections will confirm this beginning of this shift from the big 3.
Small c conservatives (and Tory members), as we have seen here have voted Tory and UKIP. Imagine is also based in conservative values and there will be many independent conservatives. Locally, the Mum's Army has a very conservative law and order approach.
In short, no, the Tory Party is no longer the only home for conservatives, no matter what its size.
The country is changing. Now the political parties will find that they have to come towards the people, rather than the other way around.
I am not tied to a rosette, but a set of values, conservative values. I am equally prepared to attack any party thaty adopts unconservative policies in a bid to get them to drop those unconservative policies.
Far from balkanisation, I see this period as an exciting one where politics can begin to get that much closer to the people. The big 3 will have to accept this change and adapt to it, or fade into oblivion.
Posted by: Chad | April 26, 2006 at 21:20
Chad, you are off-topic for this thread.
This campaign is not for you to attack the Conservative party, but to celebrate shared value and attack anti-conservative forces.
There are plenty of conservative values outside your small collection of button issues. Attack our enemies.
Posted by: True Blue | April 26, 2006 at 21:31
Hi TB,
No, I am not off topic, I am explaining that this is about the conservative movement not the Conservative Party. Clearly there is a lot of overlap, but this is not a party campaign, but a values one.
This campaign is not for you to attack the Conservative party
It's about attacking unconservative issues and that can equally apply to the Tory Party.
Read the top of the page. This is not a Tory Party campaign.
Posted by: Chad | April 26, 2006 at 21:34
But Ted and TB, you can play an active and direct role in this movement instead of complaining about direction by signing up as a full rainbow member.
Go for it!
Posted by: Chad | April 26, 2006 at 21:46
It is absolutely not about highlighting what Chad doesn't like about the Conservative party.
I'm sure the editor will correct me if my interpretation is wrong. Surely you can turn your fire elsewhere? Are there really not enough opponents outside the Conservative Party for you?
You have enough platforms to argue against the Conservatives without poisoning this campaign.
Posted by: True Blue | April 26, 2006 at 21:48
Well sign up then and get involved. I've paid my membership fee and that entitles me to a voice.
Posted by: Chad | April 26, 2006 at 21:51
Matthew Sinclair: "Wait? Surely the Chameleon Army isn't going to run Chad's ads attacking Cameron?"
No it isn't Matthew. Did you read any of my post or my 1541 comment?
Posted by: Editor | April 26, 2006 at 22:12
My personal favourite is the classic Joe Cartoon Frog in a blender. I wonder if he'd do a chameleon version...
The explicit but very amusing London Underground song sped around the net in days. Digging it out today I discover that since its release it has spawned a Flash version at backingblair.co.uk. If you can't stand the 'c' word, and I'm not talking small c conservatism, don't click here.
Posted by: Mark Fulford | April 26, 2006 at 22:31
I like your idea Editor, but there is a dangerous side. we could end up helping the chameleon image.
Having watched part 2, I must admit it's rather good. And, to be honest, the words are all true, are they not? I just hope the part about being 'true blue to the core' also turn out to be true!
Posted by: buxtehude | April 26, 2006 at 22:40
Love the idea of a Chameleon Army. Will sort out a donation tomorrow. I have spent all evening trying to make head nor tail of the broad band in structions but ended up getting an incredibly patient chap at tesco broadband, so am OK now! I just wish some of the lads were not so negative. They are all going to have to climb down come 2010 or so.
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | April 26, 2006 at 23:12
What really annoys me at the moment, is that the newscasters and I suppose probably some journalists tomorrow, keep comparing this ghastly government with John Majors last government. And there is absolutely no way that John Majors MP's, or indeed himself, were as mendacious, arrogant or as ruthless as this lot. But as far as the average punter is concerned the comparison will probably still stand, unfortunately; I mean did hundreds of violent criminals get let out into the community to do whatever they wanted, in that government - NO!
Now on this thread perhaps even more emphasis had better be made of the rainbow side of the chameleon. Colours do have an effect, and the rainbow most of all, I might sound daft, but I do paint and I have that it is surprising how many men are drawn to strong-coloured designs that have the progression of the rainbow within them!
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | April 26, 2006 at 23:18
I think a viral campaign is a good idea but I would avoid being sucked into being as negative as labour, Try to be funny and sharp and have a positive message in as well if thats possible,
Matt
Posted by: matt wright | April 27, 2006 at 00:06
I've not really been following the idea behind this, but its crap like this:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16994747&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=dark-day-on-tv-for-cameron--name_page.html
Consider news.google.com Type Cameron and the majority of news is by leftist/socialist website with exception of the Daily Telegraph.
If you want to make a difference it has to be smart, hi-tech and real. It shouldn't be directed at our leader or individual (the CONSERVATIVE party stands for conservative values, an attack on the party can be just as bad as an attack on conservatism).
On a side note, I hope conservatives.com make some banners, avatars for forum posting of some sort soon.
Posted by: Jaz Hayre | April 27, 2006 at 00:39
Editor, I'm sorry if I've been paranoic as your initial post did seem clear but your response to Chad's request seemed ambiguous. Cool.
Posted by: Matthew Sinclair | April 27, 2006 at 03:27
I'm really not a big bad ghoully Matthew. I'm working hard to play a part in helping a conservative government not just defeat these Labour scumbags but to remain in power for years to come, hence my interest in discussing issues here.
It is vital to get the agenda right first. Then and only then will we be ready to aim our full fire at Labour. If we start shooting early, before we are ready, we'll just be wasting ammo.
Surely you can see the whole point is to try and influence the most likely party to adopt a conservative agenda? The only difference with my approach is that I have a plan B, but clearly plan A is the preference.
So yes, there will be a lot of criticism of key areas that need change now, to ensure we are fit for battle against Brown in 2009/2010.
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 08:25
You can't decide on a party based on whether it is your personal policy wet dream. The EPP and changes in funding political parties are minor issues. Forming a new party (particularly when you clearly like the change on other issues like the environmentalism) isn't even remotely a proportionate response.
Posted by: Matthew Sinclair | April 27, 2006 at 12:27
You can't decide on a party based on whether it is your personal policy wet dream
Let me reassure you, my wet dreams are about Emmanuelle Beart not politics.
Matthew, I have clearly stated before that I have no intention of ever standing to become an MP. However, I believe as a vehicle it will be highly effective, and more effective than just being a far too easy to ignore pressure group etc.
If all politicians care about is votes, then clearly the potential to lose votes could be a powerful influence.
I think you need to look outside your windows. Conservatism is growing whether independents or other parties outside the Tory Party. Conservatives will no be voting Tory by default any more.
The EPP and changes in funding political parties are minor issues.
For you clearly, but not for me, for the simple reason that I am a small c conservative opposed to big government proposals.
Forming a new party (particularly when you clearly like the change on other issues like the environmentalism) isn't even remotely a proportionate response/
Again, I have clearly noted before that it is a strategy to encourage change. I'll try to influence the Tory Party first and foremost, but if they adopt or keep policies that strongly contravene my core (ie not all just the core) conservative values, then I will have a different channel to offer choice to the electorate.
Why worry about it? If I am wrong and no-one cares about state funding as you claim, then clearly, no-one will vote Imagine. However, if I am right, then I will be offering representation on this issue to the electorate that the parties have chosen to ignore.
That's democracy.
You will see that in the description of this campaign Tim very clearly defines this as a conservative campaign, not a Tory Party campaign and clearly notes that it may target issues like state funding which hardly makes it unimportant.
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 12:59
Blue Chameleon T-shirts available here.
Posted by: Guido Fawkes | April 27, 2006 at 13:26
Chad,
How many voters or members have you managed to lure away from the Conservative Party so far with your self-described left of centre Imagine party? (a party which wants a world with "no countries" i might add).
Posted by: Jon Gale | April 27, 2006 at 14:20
Oh John, lazy mispresentations will get you no where. If you read the values page it clearly notes the nation state aim:
Internationalist Cooperation: "Imagine there's no countries" John Lennon sang and it is our guiding principle to international cooperation; nation-state cooperation treating all countries as our neighbours, not seeking to join regionalised power-bases that benefit just a selected few.
The "no Countries" is simply used to explain that every country is our neighbour, not just those in Europe, and we should seek to work together as nation states rather than join regional private members clubs that only benefit a limited selection of predominatly white and relatively rich nations.
I'm a small government, internationalist. Nation-state cooperation. pro-Europe, pro-America, pro-Africa etc. OK?
OK, now that is cleared up. I'm not trying to lure anyone away, I am clearly seeking to influence Tory Party policy as I have stated many times.
However, the simple reason I believe I can make a large impact on a tiny budget is because there will be no spend except for the site and the clear logo on the most important piece of literature of all, the ballot paper, that will highlight that Imagine's vote will not cost a penny.
Who needs to spend millions on advertising, when as soon as the electorate is alone in the voting booth, on the form in front of them, there is a single option of a free and protest vote?
I'll be stumping up a lot of the deposit fees myself, and I have signed up a new candidate today in a newly gained Tory seat that has a majority of less that 1,500.
I don't need any more members that candidates to act as this protest vote, and I am not having any diffiuclty finding people to step in if necessary. Of course, I hope it will not be necessary and that the Tory Party will oppose state funding of political parties.
You see, a little thought can achieve more than wasting millions of pounds! A simple, quiet protest, that will reach every voter for just a few thousand pounds.
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 14:50
I'll accept your point about nation-state cooperation, but would point out that repeating "imagine there's no countries" or "Imagine is truly internationalist, working as one in a world that we do not divide by borders" is not very clear.
In a similar way "we believe that everyone should have equal access to the medical treatment they require without regional variation that turns our health service into a lottery. We believe that healthcare should be fully funded by the taxpayer, and should be combined with both efficiency and promotion of healthy lifestyles." could be arguing for more Browneque spending and 1950's style organization, or could, at a stretch, be advocating a social insurance system utilizing the private sector. How will anyone know what your voters are clamouring for? All parties want healthy citizens - the differences are about how they achieve that.
Posted by: Jon Gale | April 27, 2006 at 16:31
John,
You're right, it is a bit ambiguous ,and I will work on the text to imporve it.
I support:
* EU withdrawal
* 2-rate flat(ter) tax system.
* Low tax environment to compete globally.
* Using the Bumper Book of Government Wastage as a basis for enormous savings.
I believe this will enable us to cut costs and grow the economy, and thus increase spending on public services but reduce overall %spend by increasing the overall size of the economy.
That's how I would like to achieve it.
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 16:40
Using the Bumper Book of Government Wastage as a basis for enormous savings.
It's not much of a basis given that a large part of the book covers exceptional examples of waste, and remarkably little contains examples of policy waste or plans to reduce it.
There's a difference between saying that £4 billion is lost in benefit frauds, and knowing how to stop that waste, for example.
Posted by: James Hellyer | April 27, 2006 at 16:55
That's not quite true James. It highlights areas like the DTI that have been suggested for scrapping by the LibDems to save £5billion a year.
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 16:57
..and I am sure if we work actively with the experts at the TPA we will be able to find real ways to make more savings.
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 16:58
That's not quite true James.
Yes it is.
Cherrypicking a few example where it identifies policy waste does not mean that most of the book does not mainly cover exceptional waste (even if that may be recurring).
It's not like the James Report, which had identified waste and suggested the policies to reduce it.
Posted by: James Hellyer | April 27, 2006 at 17:00
Also I am an experienced geek, building systems for reduced price when big projects have gone horribly wrong. I am sure I can make massive efficient savings in this area.
Boring, but true!
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 17:02
James, I did clearly write that it was a basis not bible of change.
If you have some better ideas for savings then of course they are more than welcome.
Posted by: Chad | April 27, 2006 at 17:03
I did clearly write that it was a basis not bible of change.
And the reason I gave was why it's not a terribly good basis for change.
It tells us government is wasteful, but that's hardly news.
Posted by: James Hellyer | April 27, 2006 at 17:05
Thank you for your email about the Dave The Chameleon Campaign.
Bearing in mind your comments, I thought it would be useful for me to set out our thinking behind Dave the Chameleon. As a political party we want to engage with the public in new and different ways and we want to engage with the millions of people who are traditionally turned off by politics. Dave the Chameleon has been created with this demand in mind.
The film breaks new ground in political campaigning. We know that traditional campaigning needs to be complemented with a more sophisticated modern approach and we do recognise people are turned off by negativity. Dave the Chameleon is a humorous way of making a serious political point about David Cameron. His creation was inspired by John Prescott's speech to the Labour Party Spring Conference earlier this year. Dave the Chameleon has a strong message - there is nothing that David Cameron will not do or say to gain popularity; and therefore the only thing which you can be sure of is that he is a Conservative to the core.
We believe Dave the Chameleon is genuinely a new form of political communication and our feedback has shown that many have found it fun to watch, witty and enjoyable. Dave is meant to be an endearing character, which we hope will make people smile when they see Dave cycling through his animated world. But we too hope that voters will also question just what he believes in given the speed at which he changes his views and they will conclude that the only thing you can be sure of about David Cameron is that he is a Tory through and through.
Finally, I wanted to reassure you that we are committed to fighting this and every election to the highest possible standards and the Dave the Chameleon broadcast is only part of our overall strategy. We are campaigning on three key positive messages for the local council elections on 4 May:
· lower council tax under Labour councils
· fighting anti-social behaviour
· good education for all, not just a privileged few.
The Labour government has introduced measures to enable police to crack down on those who make the lives of others a misery, with tough action against persistent anti-social behaviour, new Community Support Officers and neighbourhood policing teams. All over the country Labour councils are using tough new powers to crack down on anti-social behaviour, to tackle fly-tipping, graffiti, abandoned cars and ensure cleaner neighbourhoods. Having voted against new powers to make our neighbourhoods cleaner and safer, David Cameron said that tougher sanctions on the disruptive few who make life a misery for the many is just a 'gimmick'.
Labour is working hard for our local communities. Combining extra investment in local services with rigorous reform Labour councils are costing less and delivering better services. This year's council tax increase is the second lowest in over a decade and Labour councils have led the way by delivering both the lowest increases and the lowest average council tax In 2006/07 the average council tax is £957 for Labour councils and £1147 for Conservative councils.
This election is vital to the continued growth and success of the country as a whole.
Thank you once again for your email.
Regards,
Ben Nicol
Membership & Communications Unit
The Labour Party
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Posted by: UKIP Fiend | April 27, 2006 at 20:56
"Let me reassure you, my wet dreams are about Emmanuelle Beart not politics."
To much infomation, thank you very much.
Posted by: Rob Largan | April 29, 2006 at 19:16
Does anyone else see the inherent contradiction between
Chad: OK, now that is cleared up. I'm not trying to lure anyone away, I am clearly seeking to influence Tory Party policy as I have stated many times.
and standing people against official Conservative candidates as per
Chad: I'll be stumping up a lot of the deposit fees myself, and I have signed up a new candidate today in a newly gained Tory seat that has a majority of less that 1,500.
Well, with help like that... oh dear, the new "honest" politics of Imagine are taking a battering, aren't they? I look foward to running campaigns that will thrash his candidates wherever I am working - but I'd much rather focus solely on thrashing Labour and the LD's, wouldn't everyone else?
One major thing preventing me from subscribing to what could be a killer campaigning project is the possibility that these kind of people could potentially get hold of it and attempt to turn it against the Conservative Party - although Tim's reassurance goes some of the way.
Posted by: Richard Carey | May 01, 2006 at 01:22
To be honest the only inaccurate part of the Chameleon advert is the allegation that David Cameron is "true blue, through and through". It may be intellectually bankrupt negative campaigning, but it's accurate. I doubt I will ever be voting for Cameron. May the Conservatives quickly speed him on his way and get our party back from the ravages of the social-democrat-green "modernisers".
Posted by: Mike | May 01, 2006 at 10:34
"His creation was inspired by John Prescott"
- Labour Party Person
LoL! That says it all.
Posted by: Mike | May 01, 2006 at 10:36
Well, with help like that... oh dear, the new "honest" politics of Imagine are taking a battering, aren't they?
No, not in any form. When you are honest, you state your position clearly as I have.
To repeat:
The aim is to influence now and only if that fails to adopt the plan b.
To repeat, the aim is to influence, and only is it fails. I have tried to make that painfully clear and have said many, many times that I would prefer the Tory Party to adopt the core values I support.
You see, it is a two-prong strategy. Try to influence, if it fails, stand on the platform you support.
The policy digest is here, btw. I am certainly not expecting all boxes to be ticked, but just so you don't keep misrepresenting me on a partisan basis:
If:
Cameron drops state funding of political parties, drops support for the national id database and delivers the EPP withdrawal pledge, I will not stand a single candidate as then Cameron will clearly be pursuing a small government conservative approach.
Posted by: chad | May 01, 2006 at 10:44
..which is of course 100% consistent with the Chameleon Army aim to fight the enemies of (small c) conservatism, which is why I have joined.
It is not a partisan Tory grouping to bash parties, but to bash non-conservative policies.
I am not anti-Cameron. I am just fighting unconservative policies! Sorry vote-whatever Tories, some of us are driven by values not the colour of the rosette.
Posted by: Chad | May 01, 2006 at 10:47