Why is it David Cameron lacks a decent grasp of British constitutional politics?

alexanderbaker Sun Jan 14, 2007 at 06:32:22 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

David Cameron appears to have forgotten what he learnt whilst at Oxford, given his latest suggestion that Gordon Brown won't have a mandate to govern should he win the Labour leadership election.



Remember this?

I think there is more to politics about this than there is about constitutional theory. I believe its ill thought-out and confused ... He may have forgotten some of the things I've taught him... I'd have asked him to rewrite this essay.

I'm a big fan of Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government at Brasenose College, Oxford. With the quote above, he has provided us with a multi-purpose rebuttal of David Cameron's mutterings.

Then (June 26th 2006): David Cameron wanted to introduce a new bill of rights to trump/replace existing statute.

Now (January 14th 2006): David Cameron forgets that the Prime Minister is not directly elected to the position when he says Gordon Brown won't have a mandate to govern should he win a Labour party leadership election.

I would send the essay back too Vernon, and suggest DC read up on British politics...

Original post at alexanderbaker.blogspot.com


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Why is it David Cameron lacks a decent grasp of British constitutional politics? | 9 comments (9 topical)

Re: Why is it David Cameron lacks (#1)

by Glass House on Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 06:56:51 PM GMT

I think he grasps it fine. He's just betting that the electorate don't and I think he's right.

Not that it matters. A snap election is best for the party anyway.


Re: Why is it David Cameron lacks (#2)

by swatantra on Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 10:24:13 PM GMT

Dave is trying to bounce Brown into calling an early election, and losing it. A big gamble for Brown.


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Re: Why is it David (#3)

by Loz on Mon Jan 15, 2007 at 11:57:20 PM GMT

I think somebody should delve into the archives and find out what these Tories were saying back at the period after Thatcher.

The trouble is, more worryingly what were WE saying?


Re: Why is it David (#4)

by Glass House on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 08:50:36 AM GMT

Ha Ha

I suspect we were saying exactly the same thing as Cameron


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Re: Why is it David (#5)

by MM on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 02:52:20 PM GMT

I might be wrong, but did'nt Neil Kinnock demand a General Election on Mrs Thatcher's last PMQ's.  She told him not to be so silly and reminded him that Jim Callaghan did not have a General Election when he took over from Harold Wilson.

Cameron's just being a silly boy, just as Labour have huge financial problems in terms of a early election the Tories would have huge policy issues in terms of a early election.


[ Parent ]

Re: Why is it David (#6)

by Glass House on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 04:38:59 PM GMT

The financial problems are not insurmountable. I'm certain that, in the event of a general election, donors would come forward to bankroll it.

Bare in mind that even a snap election is likely to take place after the changes in party funding are implemented. A cap on election spending would then be good news for Labour.


[ Parent ]

Re: Why is it David (#7)

by MM on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 09:22:55 PM GMT

Who know's what Brown has been plotting for the last 10 year's.  I loved the quote in today's papers when he said it's important to be a good neighbour, I wonder what the Prime Minister thinks of that?  I guess Brown will have his very own Lord Levy, but will he be able to bring in similar amounts of money as the Tories?  Even if new funding arrangments are brought in Labour will be at a huge disadvanatage to the Tories given the extra money they have.

Only the Tories are election-ready
http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/features/27276/only-the-tories-are-electionready.thtml

An interesting piece by Fraser Nelson, perhaps some bits are over-exagerated but it gives a sense of the money that is coming into the Tories.  (i.e similar to New Labour in the 90s).  Can Brown re-create that in 2007? Let's hope Brown has made plenty of contacts in the City over his time as Chancellor who are willing to back him.


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Re: Why is it David Cameron lacks a decent grasp o (#8)

by Loz on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 09:41:23 PM GMT

Who knows. All of a sudden the nations richest man has donated 2 million pounds to the Labour Party.

Good news indeed.


Re: Why is it David Cameron lacks a decent grasp o (#9)

by MM on Tue Jan 16, 2007 at 09:56:16 PM GMT

According to the Sunday Time's it was thanks to Mr Blair and Lord Levy's handywork.  Doubt they will get to much thanks thou.


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Why is it David Cameron lacks a decent grasp of British constitutional politics? | 9 comments (9 topical)