Editorial: A solid win for David Davis

Guido Fawkes put it well: 'Basher By A Broken Nose'.

I've spoken to three MPs and three journalists since the end of QT.  They all agreed that DD won this contest.  One of my MP contacts is one of DC's top backers.

DD's best attack on David Cameron came near the end of the programme.  David Cameron had been describing his approach to policy-making.  David Davis was unimpressed:

"What you are describing is an approach taken by Tony Blair in the mid-1990s... But the British public have seen three Blair parliaments. They are sick and tired of spin and the era of spin. Frankly, David, this is absolutely the worst moment for the Conservative party to imitate Tony Blair."

Not quite a knockout blow but a very strong and effective attack - without overstepping the line into personal abuse.

As many of this site's visitors noted - Mr Cameron looked uncomfortable throughout the evening.  'Is he ready for prime time?' was a question left playing in my mind.

David Davis always seemed on top of his brief.  His commitments to economy-boosting tax relief and solid opposition to liberal drugs policies were authentically conservative.  David Cameron appeared to suggest that he was willing to introduce a more liberal policy on ecstasy.  He failed to answer DD's charge that his 'sharing the proceeds of growth' soundbite was too elastic to be meaningful.

DD also reassured me about his commitment to a broader conservatism (I noted this concern yesterday at 5pm).  He spoke about a conservatism for the 'bottom 25%' of Britons.  He said that conservatives must pass a "decency test" on all policies.

This programme wasn't transformational for this contest.  I would be very surprised if David Cameron did not still become Tory leader.  There was plenty to like about him from this performance.  His commitment to the traditional family was sound but balanced with an awareness of - and compassion for - other forms of family life.  His commitment to Africa appeared heartfelt.  He was authoritative when it came to his own brief of education (but strangely willing to offer the kind of detail that he suggested was "ridiculous" in other areas).

Paul Goodman (very quick to post about QT on the Platform Blog) has got it about right.  A few more Tory members will be a little less quick to cast their vote for Mr Cameron this morning:

"I believe that many party members will conclude from last night that their vote is too valuable to cast hastily or lightly.  I’m also convinced that they will be right to do so.  David Cameron isn’t entitled to easy votes because of one good conference speech.  And DD isn’t entitled to easy votes because of one good television performance."

There's still a month to go before we need to vote.  Let's keep watching and learning...

PS If DD won by points, ConservativeHome trounced Guido in the battle of live-blogging.  At the time of posting this blog received 147 posts about QT; Guido had received 24.  That's better than BBC Sport used to manage when it went head-to-head with ITV on big sports matches.  You wanted the contest Guido...

Comments

[John Coulson]

Daniel has a very good point. Comparisons have been drawn between DC and Hague. Hague achieved cabinet status on the back of being an extremely talented Minister of State at, the then, Social Security Department. He faced the formidable Robin Cook and shone, he was also noted (in Gyles Brandreths Diaries) as having the best 97 campaign of any cabinet minister.

DC just does not have this experience and track record of success in stressful circumstances. He had an overrated conference speech but against Davis he was shown to be too young and inexperienced.

People are criticsing DD for aiming a low blow at DC over the 'heir to Blair stuff'. That comment was in retaliation to DC's quite equally nasty comment about DD announcing policy too early. DD merely drew a comparison between Blairs vague policy-less '90s years and how the public are becoming fed up of it.

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

Oberon, David Cameron described himself as the heir to Blair at a function with newspaper executives at party conference. Was that spinning at its worst?

[Andrew]

David Davis calls a press conference and announces that he wants to withdraw from Europe, this statement is even more absurd.

Indeed, that statement is absurd, mainly because it is not true.

[John Coulson]

At least it is coming back to haunt him!

"I'll answer the questions in MY way", stamp of the feet, bang of the door and music on really loud. What a pleasant teenager he must have been!

"{sic?}"

What's the question mark for?
To ask whether your use of "sic" is appropriate? I think the answer would probably be no.

Sorry, silly pedantry I know...

"But this has, at the very least, raised some questions about how Cameron will perform when he's not got a bump to pat."

But there are also questions for Davis, hh has now put himself in a position to be shot at. By stating he has policies now and Cameron does not (which he esentially did) there will be a lot more questions. we only really know where he stands on tax, schools, probably drugs. But Davis has taken a gamble and implied he has the answers to our policy needs now. What's he going to be like on the non-core vote issues?

Cameron wasn't a disaster last night, but he was too close to his speech from Blackpool and he must have known that he'd get the 'policy-lite' jibe yet he seemed poorly prepared for it.

I agreed with much of what he said, but in terms of the debate he was outperformed.

[Oberon Houston]

The SUN this week:

"DEFIANT David Davis last night put Europe at the heart of his race for the Tory crown.He promised a referendum to demand full-scale return of power from Brussels to Britain."

Ok, no, that’s not headline grabbing. Come on.

[James Hellyer]

Oh look, Oberon is spinning like mad:

"Davis said that he would cut taxes and save the average family £1,200 in a year if he was Prime Minister. That’s an irresponsible promise, designed to make tomorrows headlines, just like Labour"

Except it isn't an irresponsible promise. Massive cost saving have been identified that are not being implemented by the government. The fat can be trimmed to deliver cuts, and indeed should be for the sake of the economy.

"David Davis calls a press conference and announces that he wants to withdraw from Europe"

Except he never said that.

There is a rumour going around that Cameron was under the influence

........of spin and general lack of talent.

[Oberon Houston]

28 October 2005: “£38 billion to be wiped off nation’s tax bill”

“Radical plan to make families £1,200 a year better off.

A radical plan to cut taxes for hard-working families has been announced by David Davis today.”

Not headline grabbing?

[James Hellyer]

Oberon, you appear to be confusing getting headline coverage with acting for the sole purpose of getting headline coverage. The two are not the same.

[John Coulson]

As I remember it DC did something exactly the same, if not worse, by following Dr Fox in demanding the Tory MEP's pull out of the coalition. DD was pragmatic and said it was up to the MEP's. As for getting bombarded with Labour propoganda I can well imagine the Gideon Osborne flat tax ideas getting a big thumbs up from the Labour front bench. Alas, what has Gidoen done? That favourite Blair trick of getting a commission to 'look into' it. When wll people like DC realise that we elect politicians to take the decisions. I know it is difficult not having an Eton housemaster there to spoon feed him answers to tough questions.

[Oberon Houston]

Blimey, you guys are fighting like the Russians. I'm worn out... and I need to go to get the train to York now, but anyway its been a, well, energetic blog today.

All the best and speak to you Monday. Hopefully (thats if I'm not ordered into re-hab).

[john Skinner]

I just checked out the Question Time feedback. What a refreshing change! Lots if posts from women and young people. This is a great blog, but we shouldn't forget who contributes - mostly men and mostly committed Tories. Our votes for the general election are in the bag. It's the other lot we should worry about and which David is most likely to attract them.

[john Skinner]

I just checked out the Question Time feedback. What a refreshing change! Lots if posts from women and young people. This is a great blog, but we shouldn't forget who contributes - mostly men and mostly committed Tories. Our votes for the general election are in the bag. It's the other lot we should worry about and which David is most likely to attract them.

[RobC]

Please, someone define 'spin'

[john Skinner]

Ooops! Sorry for the double post.

[John Coulson]

Perhaps a defintion of the verb 'to spin' would be more useful.

[malcolm]

'Massive costs savings have been identified that are not being identified by the government.'Really James?Where?
I've been waiting in vain to hear where the cuts in public spending are going to be made and as yet unless I'm much mistaken none have been identified.DDs is only promising to curtail spending at a lower rate than trend rate growth.What happens if growth is below trend is not explained.
You accuse Oberon of spinning,the phrase pots and kettles springs to mind.

Well DC recently wrote a whole manifesto(it was very thin!)on the basis on massive savings on public spending.

[Andrew]

Shutting down the DTI would save 20bn a year. That's half the spending plan sorted, without even thinking about it.

To Spin: The act of a New Labour or Notting Hill Tory politician (the same thing really) answering a question or releasing a press statement.

[James Hellyer]

"Massive costs savings have been identified that are not being identified by the government.'Really James?Where?"

The government has failed to implement the Getrshon Review, with civil service numbers actually increasing. Similarly the James Report savings are still waiting to be made. And David James is running another commission on similar lines in this Parliament.

"You accuse Oberon of spinning,the phrase pots and kettles springs to mind."

There's no spin here - just facts.

[Andrew]

DEFIANT David Davis last night put Europe at the heart of his race for the Tory crown.He promised a referendum to demand full-scale return of power from Brussels to Britain.

David Davis calls a press conference and announces that he wants to withdraw from Europe, this statement is even more absurd.

You are aware of the difference between these two statements, Oberon?

[Andrew]

Sorry, not just the DTI - other subsidy paying departments as well. Still, it all adds up.