Hustings Report (5) - Part 2: Bolton

Adrian Owens provided a report on last night's Bolton Hustings whilst Cllr Iain Lindley - the scheduled reporter - was visiting the pub.  Iain - a blogger for Cameron - has now submitted his own report and it's pasted below...

"I arrived home at 10.30 or so last night to find I had already been usurped! I hope this report adds something to your understanding of the meeting…

As a lifelong Manchester United fan (and yes, before you ask, I am from Manchester) it is often tempting to aim some polite jibes at Bolton Wanderers and their Reebok stadium, the hosts for Wednesday’s solitary hustings. Perhaps similar questions can be asked of the Trotters and our leadership contenders – are they the finished article, or merely the plucky underdogs gamely fighting above their level?

David Cameron was certainly quickest to the first tackle: speaking without notes and with his customary stroll away from the lectern, he delivered a confident opening address with passion and conviction. Davis spoke competently and hit most of the right areas, but he shied away from the audience and glanced somewhat nervously at his text every few seconds. This did not leave me with the best impression, and we were only a few minutes in.

Davis relaxed notably as the speeches were left behind and questions encountered – although Cameron too had lost the nerves that afflicted his Question Time appearance. First up, the candidates were asked which single issue differentiated them from their opponent. The older David seized the question and unwaveringly answered “tax”, before concisely outlined the benefits of lower taxation – all admirable stuff, but somewhere in the excitement he forgot to outline why he thought the younger David thought differently. It was left to Cameron to fill in the gaps – “I’m a low tax Conservative”, he declared, before explaining that he wanted a “different approach” but not a change in substance.

Perhaps the most noticeable difference in policy was in regard to leafleting strategy – Davis set his stall out early, with badges and leaflets. Cameron’s much vaunted campaign team was absent at the start but bombarded attendees with literature (and mints) as they left afterwards.

The questioning continued – the north, crime, manufacturing, farming, the National Health Service – and yet the debate remained stranded in midfield, with a broad agreement between the two candidates, although the odd policy set piece did threaten – Cameron deployed elected police commissioners and co-payment for University and Davis sought to make ground down the right flank with his tax and grammar school proposals.

However, the flashpoints that did occur were invariably about approach rather than policy. Responding to a question about schools, Davis – who had made much of his Labour-bashing credentials in his opening address – was clear that Labour’s “half-baked” reforms should not be tolerated. By contrast, Cameron argued that the Party should be “serious and consistent” about reform and welcome reforms that were nonetheless “tragic” and “timid” as a “step in the right direction”.

By the end it was clear that – with a few notable exceptions - this contest is about tone and tactics far more than any difference in policy. Although I thought the audience warmed to Cameron’s confident delivery more than Davis’s more pointed offerings, I doubt many of those present saw enough to change their minds.

On the way out one lady approached me and said “I’m not voting for me, I’m voting for who I think can win the next election”. If that mindset is prevalent than it is difficult to see a way back for David Davis."

Comments

[Haymarket]

As a fellow Mancunian and ManU supporter, I have to say I'm impressed that our Lancashire mob have come up with more reporters than any other area, Cllr Lindley's excursion to the pub notwithstanding.

[michael]

Iain - that was great.

Comment at the end was the most telling. I have a colleague who by instinct likes Davis, supported him initially, but has voted for Cameron because he believes he will appeal beyond Conservatives like himself.

I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't think the membership would rise to the challenge, but I think they are proving me wrong. Thank god.

[a-tracy]

"If that mindset is prevalent than it is difficult to see a way back for David Davis."

The MANU supporters in the office constantly remind me it's early days yet and we're a game in hand.

It's not over till it's over. How do you know what the membership are doing Michael are you counting the votes?

[michael]

I just told you a-tracy, the member I spoke to was my barometer for the entire leadership election.

Whoever he decided to support would be the champ.

[Richard Weatherill]

I'd just like to defend Cllr Lindley's right to go to the pub after an arduous husting. I did just the same after the Solihull event on Monday but, fortunately(?), no-one attempted to "usurp" me. Bolton sounds like an almost exact rerun of Solihull. I almost feel sorry for the candidates - at least we only have to sit through it one!

P.S. What happened to the promised poll, Mr. Editor, or have I just failed to notice it?

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

I withdraw my comment from the other thread following Adrian Owens's hustings report.

[Derek]

DD was in Winchester today and spoke to a full hall. He spoke entirely without notes for about 20 minutes, followed by questions for a further period. I was unable to ask my own question. One thing which was relevant was that DD stated that he was certain that the MEPs would be out of the EPP within 2years under his leadership. He would not do it straight away as he did not want to cause a big row over the issue, and the MEPs have already signed up to remain there until the next EU elections. He would use the two years to create a new grouping with other eurosceptic groups.

Another important point he raised was that he would take the hard decisions on cuts in bureaucracy in the first year of a Conservative government in order to gain the benefits before the following general election.

[Gareth]

Oh dear. Wondered how long DD would maintain his EPP line. Damian Green, Quentin Davies and Ian Taylor must be feeling rather foolish now.

[John Hustings]

"Damian Green, Quentin Davies and Ian Taylor must be feeling rather foolish now. "

Quentin Davies maybe. But I don't think Damian Green signed up for Davis just for the EPP policy (indeed, I think Green was in the Davis camp long before Cameron stated his policy apropos of EPP).

[Rick]

There is a meeting in Austria at present under Joerg Haider's FPO to set up a new Ultra-Right Grouping in the EU Parliament and get their own funds.........so quite a few changes are going to occur there - no reason for the Conservatives to do anything yet if all is in flux

[Cllr Iain Lindley]

Haider was thrown out of the FPO a while ago.