Three sources have told me that David Cameron performed 'well enough' at tonight's '92 hustings. He certainly suffered no 'blow' of the kind that his rivals had hoped for.
Angela Watkinson did raise the issue of drugs and his position on the legal status of ecstasy. Mrs Watkinson served with him on the Home Affairs Select Committee when he adopted liberal policy positions. Mr Cameron said that he acted on the best scientific advice of the time and he now appreciated that that advice had changed.
Mr Cameron made very Eurosceptic pledges. Like Liam Fox he promised to take Tory MEPs out of the EPP. He also said that he would consider writing the supremacy of the British parliament into law. What this means will have to be revisited but is potentially very significant.
The least clear position, he adopted, was (reportedly) on how his support for increased university access would be funded.
"The leadership contest at this stage is a little like a "balloon" debate - which lots of school & university debating societies hold. The idea is that each character in the debate makes his case. There's a round of voting. The least persuausive is thrown out of the balloon. They each make their case again; there's another vote..."
I had honestly never heard that phrase before! See, that's why I like it here, you can always learn something new.
Posted by: Richard Carey | 13 October 2005 at 17:49
All the candidates need every vote they can get. You surely did not expect Liam Fox to turn down the Cornerstone votes.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 13 October 2005 at 17:54
The Cornerstone vote isn't an unfortunate accident for Dr Fox. He has actively sought their vote and therefore it is entirely fair to tar him with their brush.
Posted by: Mark Fulford | 13 October 2005 at 20:51
How quickly you forget Cameron dining with Cornerstone and then making pledges about marriage. Obviously that wasn't actively seeking their vote...
Posted by: James Hellyer | 13 October 2005 at 21:45
The proof of the pudding is where the vote goes.
Posted by: Mark Fulford | 13 October 2005 at 22:08
Trouble is, Mark, Cornerstone has gone 3 ways - with some going to Cameron as well.
I love the logic: Liam supports marriage and wants to pull out of the EPP & that's unacceptable and "right-wing". DC supports the precise same policies (following Liam's lead on the EU), and that's no problem at all.
Posted by: Simon C | 13 October 2005 at 22:18
I believe it's called "hypocrisy".
Posted by: James Hellyer | 13 October 2005 at 23:44
From Central Brussels! Engagement via the EPP has not brought anything either for the Conservative Party or for the country. Constantly the UK are suckered into bad legislation. The EPP is part of the problem not the solution.
Delighted David Cameron has said what he has said, but the implications are immense. He may be a descendant of the Duke of Suffolk but is he related to the Grand Old Duke of York!
Posted by: | 19 October 2005 at 13:28
From Central Brussels! Engagement via the EPP has not brought anything either for the Conservative Party or for the country. Constantly the UK are suckered into bad legislation. The EPP is part of the problem not the solution.
Delighted David Cameron has said what he has said, but the implications are immense. He may be a descendant of the Duke of Suffolk but is he related to the Grand Old Duke of York!
Posted by: Gillibrand | 19 October 2005 at 13:30