Interviewed for today's Week in Westminster programme, veteran left-wing MP Dennis Skinner stuck the knife into David Cameron's candidacy.
He described Mr Cameron as a media creation - elevated on the back of a puff of wind. The media could destroy its creations as easily as they made them, he warned. He said that he was "flabbergasted" at Mr Cameron's rise from obscurity. He was a "flop" during last week's Commons education debate. Mr Davis had done much better, he suggested, in responding to Charles Clarke's terror statement. David Davis was a much safer pair of hands than David Cameron - although the Conservative Party should have chosen Ken Clarke, who was clearly the best candidate.
Mr Skinner dismissed the idea that David Cameron was the Tories' Tony Blair. Without providing an explanation for his comparison Mr Skinner said that the Tory frontrunner was more like Peter Mandelson.
Does Mr Skinner's attack reflect a genuine concern that four years of experience is insufficient preparation to become a party leader? Mr Skinner, who has one of the Commons' very best attendance records, may put disproportionate emphasis on parliamentary skills. It may simply reflect concern at the potency of a Cameron leadership - confirmed by today's YouGov survey.
Another Nick: Another Reason for disproportionate questioning of DC is that he's much, much more of an unknown. Love him or hate him we all know DD's key beliefs. He is, in my opinion, the safer bet described by Dennis Skinner. DC is the riskier choice - potentially a much better choice, potentially a worse choice.
If only you Cameroons spent half as much energy explaining your guy's agenda and less time complaining about the questions!
Posted by: Editor | 30 October 2005 at 12:09
"Stop daydreaming at the back of class Selsdon Boy. My post of 26th October did precisely that! "
I do not read or memorise all your posts and have a life outside politics, stringer!
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 30 October 2005 at 12:22
Perhaps you shouldn't have stated something as fact then, Selsdon Man.
Nick Wood is a good friend of mine and is handling media things for DD. Other very close friends are supporting Mr Cameron. I'm happy to disclose inside contacts etc but I repeat the fact that I'm a floating voter in this contest since Liam Fox was eliminated.
Posted by: Editor | 30 October 2005 at 12:37
"That's an unfair generalisation."
It's a statement of fact (look at the last four threads, for example). This blog has become dominated by Cameron supporters shooting the messenger. I think that's indicative of people who don't actually have a message.
Posted by: | 30 October 2005 at 12:57
Fair point, editor, but you do seem to be giving Cameron a harder time than Davis, especially in recent days following Nick Wood's appointment. You have posted some long comments on this thread and not everyone will have read your post of the 26th or memorised it.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 30 October 2005 at 13:04
Bit stupid of Gideon Osborne on Politics Show to make such silly comments about Quentin Davies today.........really made it look like Osborne was nothing more than a student politico. Really childish comment
Posted by: Rick | 30 October 2005 at 13:07
"Fair point, editor, but you do seem to be giving Cameron a harder time than Davis..."
Did you complain when Davis was in the lead and was subjected to lots of scrutiny? Should Cameron - about whom we know almost nothing - slide into the leadership on the basis of a slick PR campaign, with us taking everything on trust? And should the editor end each post by listing everyone he knows who is involved in both campaign teams?
Posted by: Robert H | 30 October 2005 at 13:08
Robert, I thought that Davis and Cameron were treated the same. Do not attack DC because he has run a professional, rather than slick, campaign.
The belated appointment of Nick Wood shows that DD is aware that his PR up to now has been very poor.
Nick worked on core vote strategies for Hague and IDS - what will be his approach for DD? We need more than "one more heave".
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 30 October 2005 at 13:25
You're really missing the point Selsdon, Cameron is facing scrutiny because zip all is known about his views and what he wants to do. We already have a fair idea what Davis proposes, but beyond banalities about change know little about Cameron's agenda (and no, the soundbites on his website don't fill in the blanks).
Posted by: Robert H | 30 October 2005 at 13:58
"Bit stupid of Gideon Osborne on Politics Show to make such silly comments about Quentin Davies today........."
Oh I thought George was spot on re Quentin Davies. What a dinosaur Quentin is.
Posted by: Steven Patrick | 30 October 2005 at 14:14
Bit stupid of Gideon Osborne on Politics Show to make such silly comments about Quentin Davies today.........really made it look like Osborne was nothing more than a student politico. Really childish comment
Well Steve Patrick, there we disagree.
Posted by: Rick | 30 October 2005 at 18:09
Editor, The Cameron website, especially the FAQ section does answer your questions on his position on tax - he is waiting to see the results of George Osbourne's study - perhaps more sensible than promising massive cuts as Mr Davis has. it might not be glamerous that he's waiting to see the results, but surely it's sensible.
Is he a risky choice, no, the risk y choice would be picking the guy hardly anyone seems to think can win.
Posted by: | 30 October 2005 at 20:13
"Editor, The Cameron website, especially the FAQ section does answer your questions on his position on tax - he is waiting to see the results of George Osbourne's study"
So, it in fact DOESN'T answer the questions, it says you will have to wait until an unspecified future date for an unspecified answer!
Posted by: Are you having a laugh? | 30 October 2005 at 20:42
So you think Quentin Davies was right do you Rick?
Posted by: malcolm | 30 October 2005 at 20:53
Rick has always found Quentin Davies as having genuine and reasonable opinions even when he don't agree with them. He finds his considerations on flat-tax to be succinct and factually accurate.
On the other hand if the Conservatives ever tried to fly the flag of flat-tax they would be blown out of power for generations not decades.........Angela Merkel is now running a Cabinet with Social Democrats in key positions simply because Otto Normalverbraucher was given a quick guide to his increased tax burden under Paul Kirchhof's plans.
It is not actually as if it has any real importance because to do something as wacko as that would require annual wealth tax, higher property taxes, higher VAT and removal of all business tax allowances in compensation. Logical would be to abolish zero rating on VAT and tax baby clothes, all(and not just some) food, prescriptions, water, books, newspapers etc as elsewhere in Europe. German precriptions carry 16% VAT.
Posted by: Rick | 31 October 2005 at 07:07
Why are you answering in the third person?
Posted by: malcolm | 31 October 2005 at 09:15
There is one principle reason why Skinner's comments should be ignored.
He said that DAvis was the best bet because he was a "safe pair of hands" a safe pair of hands is the last thing we need.
I'm sure the editor has seen some of the more indepth polling that has been done since the election suggesting that the conservative supporters are shrinking.
If this party does not change to one that attracts support from outside of its core voter then it will die. Thats no scaremongering we've already seen it in Scotland.
Posted by: wasp | 31 October 2005 at 10:01