Cameron: The Rise of the New Conservative

Anthony Butcher · 09-07-2007, 12:11 AM

		Cameron: The Rise of the New Conservative (Hardcover)
by Francis Elliott, James Hanning

The first major biography of the Conservative Party's dynamic new leader. David ('Dave') Cameron has recently emerged as the first Tory leader in years to come across as a man of the people, an ordinary bloke in a traditionally reviled political position. But, spin-doctoring aside, not a great deal is known about his background, his family life or his gradual rise through the ranks of the Party. The son of a prosperous and disabled stockbroker father and a magistrate mother, and a descendant of King Henry VII, Cameron excelled at Eton and was voted most likely amongst his classmates to become Prime Minister. At Oxford he 'played a lot of pool and ate a lot of kebabs', but loved politics and worked extremely hard to achieve a high first. It was clear by then that he was headed for Westminster, and indeed a former colleague at the Conservative Research Department, which Cameron joined after graduation, referred to him as 'a young man in a hurry', a reputation cemented by his rapid rise to the head of the political department and the favour of John Major. Cameron has also worked very closely with Norman Lamont, Michael Howard, and has been an MP since 2001. In 2005 he was asked by Howard to write the Tory manifesto, widely considered the most right-wing in post-war history. Months later, at the age of 39, he secured leadership of the Party. This biography reveals more about the man behind the spin, and the first Tory leader in years to have a chance of leading the party to victory. It explores the future direction of the Conservatives. Is the current honeymoon evidence of a new Tory Party, or simply recognition that the appearance of newness is needed? Will he really be prepared to jeopardise the support of the traditional grass roots? How deep are his environmental credentials? How will he react when the press turns nasty? Does his success mark a return of the old class deference? Or is it the opposite, a sign that background, for better or worse, is now unimportant?
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Anthony Butcher · 09-07-2007, 12:13 AM

I suppose that he has a 50/50 chance of being elected Prime Minister in the next election... worth reading about?

Earthling · 11-05-2008, 10:28 PM

I have just finished reading this, whether you like the guy or not, whether you are left or right, it is a good read and I recommend it

BonnieDundee · 11-05-2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

...at Eton..... At Oxford ...

Ahh a man of the people.

Smidgey · 11-05-2008, 10:48 PM

I'd rather not pay nine pounds to read about another slimeball.

Baron von Lotsov · 12-05-2008, 11:24 AM

Actually I did read the Howard Manifesto and it was basically sound. As I recall it was deeper than most. I mean Labour is all about doing more to help so and so and a right bore. Howard's manifesto was more conceptual and was close to the free market model.

He certainly has brains, though whether he uses them to good effect or like Blair did, to sell England down the river and line his pockets (£10 million this year alone on public speaking/payback) I really don't know. It's trust at the end of the day and politicians are good at manufacturing trust. My eurosceptic MP likes him and he is a pretty honest kind of chap, so that gives me hope. Well maybe a step in the right direction anyway.

rjt · 12-05-2008, 06:21 PM

I dont see Cameron as anything new, apart from sounding sceptical on the EU he is very much Blairite in this outlook.

11-05-2008, 10:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Earthling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cheshire Posts: 217 Party: UKIP	I have just finished reading this, whether you like the guy or not, whether you are left or right, it is a good read and I recommend it __________________ Earthling's Blog Don't let EU rule Britannia! Vote UKIP and say NO to Brussels Bureaucracy.

11-05-2008, 10:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Smidgey Uber Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,001 Party: Libertarian Party	I'd rather not pay nine pounds to read about another slimeball. __________________ How vain is man, who boasts in fight the valour of gigantic might! -Georg Friedrich Händel

12-05-2008, 11:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Baron von Lotsov Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 787	Actually I did read the Howard Manifesto and it was basically sound. As I recall it was deeper than most. I mean Labour is all about doing more to help so and so and a right bore. Howard's manifesto was more conceptual and was close to the free market model. He certainly has brains, though whether he uses them to good effect or like Blair did, to sell England down the river and line his pockets (£10 million this year alone on public speaking/payback) I really don't know. It's trust at the end of the day and politicians are good at manufacturing trust. My eurosceptic MP likes him and he is a pretty honest kind of chap, so that gives me hope. Well maybe a step in the right direction anyway. __________________ "A government big enough to supply you with everything you need, is a government big enough to take away everything that you have..."

12-05-2008, 06:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
rjt Uber Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Aldershot Posts: 5,151	I dont see Cameron as anything new, apart from sounding sceptical on the EU he is very much Blairite in this outlook. __________________ Mr Delors said that he wanted the European Parliament to be the democratic body of the community, The Commission to be The Executive and The Council Of Ministers The Senate. NO! NO! NO! (Margaret Thatcher 30 Oct 1990) Ignore List: The Prophets of ST Al the Unelectable.

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09-07-2007, 12:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anthony Butcher Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Long Ashton, Bristol Posts: 9,423 Party: None	I suppose that he has a 50/50 chance of being elected Prime Minister in the next election... worth reading about?