Michael Howard wanted Osborne to be leader

The Independent on Sunday has more revelations from the biography of David Cameron written by two of its writers, Francis Elliott and James Hanning.

Although Cameron was Howard's favoured successor initially, he apparently switched his preference to George Osborne as a result of Cameron's "squeamishness" during the election campaign, and unwillingness to take up the Shadow Chancellorship.

There are also some insights into the dynamic between Cameron and his "bohemian former art student" wife Samantha:

"When Mr Cameron was working as a special adviser at the Home Office he had concerns about Michael Howard's crackdown on raves - not least because his then girlfriend was attending them. It also claims that Mrs Cameron's job in retail - she is creative director at Smythson, the upmarket stationers - helps keep her husband in touch with what voters want."

She is, however, very keen not to be compared with Cherie Blair.

Deputy Editor

Comments

[Editor]

Given the nature of Michael Howard's 2005 campaign I'm quite pleased to learn that DC was 'squeamish' about it all.

[Ted]

Shows Camerons political nous - to be Shadow Chancellor during Michael Howard's 6 month interegnum wouldn't have been a sensible move in his leadership campaign. He also probably recognised that his leadership stregths were not suited to a department requiring different skills (something Brown doesn't recognise).

[ToMTom]

Would it have made much difference ?

[Jonathan Sheppard]

Interesting piece. I'm really not sure that the average punter buys their stationery from Smythson though!!

[gingeral]

Interesting, I always thought Howard overestimated Osborne. I've always wondered, though, why Howard didn't back Liam Fox, he's more in the same area politically and served him loyally (some argue he was Howard's "real" deputy, not Ancram).

[ToMTom]

I'm really not sure that the average punter buys their stationery from Smythson though!!

Smythson

Nice line in diaries...

Bruch

and the Brunches book is so useful when my brother pops around for an informal occasion.....

[Jack Stone]

If Liam Fox was Michael Howard real deputy perhaps that was the real reaon we lost! Mr Fox like John Major is one of those politicans who as risen further than there abilities should have taken them.

[CDM]

Why does everyone like Osbourne so much? He may be bright, but at times he can seem very, very silly.

He's a mini Oliver Letwin: one of the best minds in the party, but not really suitable for public appearances.

[Andrew Woodman]

Not sure many voters can afford £145 for a brunch diary.

[Michael Rutherford]

I'm sure Osbourne will be a great Chancellor, but I'm not convinced he has the charisma and style to be a party leader.

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

I once met George Osborne in a lift at CCHQ. He's a very cold person. David Cameron seems to be both brainy and warm, so thank goodness DC won.

[Charlie Hicks]

Useful insight Justin, thank you. I too find that it's perfectly possible to assess someone's character from a brief meeting in a lift.

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

The lift could have been stuck...

[simon]

I'm a supporter of Dr Fox- so i'm not surprised he was Howard's 'real' deputy during the last GE campaign! I'm looking forward to the already leaked forthcoming 'reshuffle'. If Dr Fox is put into the CPChairmanship- i would expect him to refuse. Already i have indicated that the 'bluster' Boris Johnson would be the perfect candidate in that role! And for heaven's sake- put Hague in the 'shadow chancellor's' role!

[Scotty]

Cameron was the man to lead the party but Osborne has been the right man to shadow the chancellor. He has done more to undermine and damage the myth that is Gordon Brown the "iron chancellor" than any other tory shadow minister, a fact that is often ignored but will in time prove to have been one of the most important and defining strategies followed by team Cameron and Osborne.

[ToMTom]

He has done more to undermine and damage the myth that is Gordon Brown the "iron chancellor" than any other tory shadow minister

No he has not....Events have....as they did with Lawson

[Paul Kennedy]

Lets not have a re-run of the Leadership, we have to play the hand we have been dealt.;)

12:05 post, My wife was once in a lift with Gerry Adams, in the Europa Hotel, Belfast of all places. :D

[Paul Kennedy]

PS I'm becoming more impressed with both Mr Cameron and Mr Osborne and think they are growing into their respective jobs nicely.....still a lot of growing to do....but coming along nicely.

[feetontheground]

He's been to Eton, she sells £145-a-time notebooks. A real, down-to-earth, run-of-the-mill couple.

[thatcherite]

Gideon "Squeaky" Osborne for Leader? He has not had a proper jon in his life! His latest green tax nonsense shows that his is not fit to be Chancellor. Micahel Howard was the worst leader this party has had since Grocer Heath. This aberation proves it!

"Mrs Cameron's job in retail - she is creative director at Smythson, the upmarket stationers - helps keep her husband in touch with what voters want." Are you taking the urine?

[John Turner]

More fool him.

[Yet Another Anon]

George Osborne has obviously struggled somewhat with the role of Shadow Chancellor, for what was his first Shadow Cabinet role it was a radical promotion - the Shadow Chancellor and Chancellor of the Exchequer roles are probably the most complex ones going in the Cabinet\Shadow Cabinet.

It took George Osborne some time to make any headway in the role, a Leader of the Opposition or Prime Minister really has to be on top of their brief from the start, Neil Kinnock took a long time to really make progress in the role and William Hague clearly lost the plot especially during the 2001 election campaign and both squandered incredible opportunities to make political capital and later regretted it.

[Umbrella Man]

Charlie Hicks: Useful insight Justin, thank you. I too find that it's perfectly possible to assess someone's character from a brief meeting in a lift.

Thanks Charlie for funnily putting Justin in his place!!!

[Jamie Evans]

Haven't we overdosed a bit on privileged public school rich boys? Can we have some more people who've come up the hard way?

[RobinClash]

Everytime I see Osbourne on Question time he appears as a timid, innefectual junior, who speaks when he is asked to. As shadow chancellor he should running the rather than allowing whoever is on from labour to make th running.