Britannist

More about David Cameron, the anti-UKIP and pro-EU leader of the Conservative Party:

The following – a very strong criticism of David Cameron - is from an article published in May of this year. I mislaid the article, found it yesterday and have summarised it as follows -

Chris Blackhurst, columnist, wrote in the London Evening Standard edition of 11.5.2006 (extracts) “It must have been an awkward call for David Cameron yesterday – the one apologising to Philip Green for a “big mistake”. This was the Conservative leader and would-be Prime Minister, the day after his speech lambasting major business for “irresponsibility”. As well as targeting Tesco and the supermarket chains, he lashed Greens BHS for “harmful and creepy” sales of padded bras to teenage girls. Green withdrew the offending items from sale in March 2003 – hence Cameron’s error. But not for the first time where the putative next leader of the country is concerned, I found myself thinking, what on earth is he (Cameron) playing at?

For much of the 1990s before entering the Commons, Cameron was communications director at Carlton Television. As such, I remember taking calls from him that were very different from the one he made to Green yesterday. If any criticism was aimed at his company or its boss, Michael Green (no relation to Philip), the journalist concerned could expect to hear from Cameron. He was aggressive, sharp-tongued, often condescending and patronising, but when awkward questions were put to him, frequently obstructive and unhelpful. If anyone had said to me that he would go on to lead the Tory Party and might become Premier, I would have told them to seek help. It wasn’t just his manner or how he twisted and turned, it was the firm he represented.

If there was one broadcaster identified with the decline in ITV output it was Cameron’s. In January 1003 it took over the London weekday (television) franchise from Thames (Television). The press pack issued with Carlton’s successful bid promised new, quality programmes: ‘Nancy Cunard’, a 1920s series; ‘Century’, a 26 part history of the 20th century fronted by Jeremy Isaacs and ‘Brilliant Creatures’ a television version of Clive James’s novel. None was made. Instead viewers were treated to ‘The Big Story’ damned by critics as a poor imitation of Thames Television’s ‘This Week’ ‘Hollywood Women’ and ‘A Woman’s Guide to Adultery’. The station (Carlton ITV London) quickly became synonymous with bought-in fluff and sex.

Chris Blackhurst recalled that in May 1994 the Independent Television Commission (ITC) had aid that Carlton programmes supplied to the ITV network were “glib and superficial”, “very disappointing” and “not of noticeable high quality”. Carlton’s output was, according to the ITC, “well below expectations”. The ITC said the channel had not fulfilled promises made in its franchise application (to secure the contract to broadcast in London). In July 1996, Victor Lewis-Smith, the television critic, called Carlton Television “the country’s worst ITV region.” Mr. Blackhurst said that six months later (in January 1997) “with Cameron still in place” (as Communications Director), Carlton Television broadcast what it called a “serious debate” on the future of the Monarchy. People turned up to be in the studio audience in fancy dress and the audience waved red and blue voting cards. There was a flood of complaints from viewers about the “sheer tackiness” of it all.

“Sir Paul Fox, the former managing director of BBC Television and Yorkshire Television (part of ITV) and others couldn’t believe their eyes” stated Mr. Blackhurst. Sir Paul said of the infamous Carlton programme on the Monarchy “This is the latest and most spectacular example yet of the dumbing-down of the medium.” He questioned the commitment of Carlton Television to public service.

How dare David Cameron lecture business on the needs for corporate responsibility, Mr. Blackhurst complained. What a cheek he had, Mr. Blackhurst added, in saying that the sale of BHS bras to youngsters was (quote) a prime example of the increasingly aggressive interface of commercialisation and sexualisation” (End of quote). Mr. Blackhurst said “I can think of a better one, David. Carlton Television, where you used to work.” David Cameron’s attack on BHS was his second assault, Mr. Blackhurst concluded “having previously had a go at WH Smith over chocolate oranges by checkouts”.

Mr. Blackhurst concluded “When he (Cameron) had little to do but let the (Labour) Government implode, he does this. He seems intent on offering the country precisely what it appears not to want: another hectoring ‘Tony’ Blair. It is hard to understand what is going through his head. Mrs. Thatcher had Dennis to help her, and Willie Whitelaw to stop her making such errors of judgement.”

mkpdavies

I think he has a bit of a temper on him. I have seen it in his reactions a couple of times. Like a spoilt brat who isn't getting is own way.

He's Blair * 2 I reckon. If he leads this country, it could be the most disasterous time in British history.

__________________
http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/
http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/
http://lpuk.org

My ignore list

Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

Britannist

I read that Labour are about to launch a 'Summer offensive' against anti-UKIP David Cameron. If he gets a reputation for having a temper - they'll target that.

I've got an interview David Cameron did on Newsnight with Jeremy Paxman (I haven't got the date of it but I think it was in January - soon after he got in as Conservative leader). Everyone who saw it said he was rude to Paxman and very sharp-tongued. I thought Paxman looked quite surprised at how he was being spoken to. Now Paxman has faults - but, as someone said to me "No one aged 50 odd likes being spoken to like that by a 39 year old who has only been in the Commons for one full term". I notice that David Cameron has not been on Newsnight as a guest since.

I watched the coverage last year of the Conservative leadership campaign, and, at no point, did the other three candidates (Kenneth Clarke, Dr. Liam Fox and David Davis) show any sign of a temper - even in tough television interviews.