tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post2119142918133403510..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: A Question of Big BeastsIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-15717170235059281532009-07-22T06:17:51.716+01:002009-07-22T06:17:51.716+01:00Sorry Iain, No to David Davis. This is a man who (...Sorry Iain, No to David Davis. This is a man who (maybe for his own honorable reasons) walked out of the Shadow Cabinet. Cameron can't risk DD doing that again while in government. <br /><br />As for other "big beasts", remember that Cameron already has two ex cabinet ministers lined up (Clarke & Hague). If he needs others I'd focus on the departments most in need of experienced ministers who understand the issues. Those for me are:<br /><br />1) Defence - which points to Rifkind. <br /><br />2) Work & Pensions, which points to Lilley, Redwood or maybe Frank Field!!<br /><br />3) Home Office (I'm not sure Grayling's up to it), maybe Redwood or Clarke.<br /><br />There's talk of bringing back Michael Howard. I'd be ok with that, maybe Lord Chancellor, back in the Lords where it belongs. <br /><br />I'd move Dr. Liam Fox to Health, Theresa May to Leader of House, and drop Lansley and Duncan.Dual Citizennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21980288320010108162009-07-21T19:45:54.808+01:002009-07-21T19:45:54.808+01:00It should also be pointed out that while Fox has b...It should also be pointed out that while Fox has been one of the few Tories actively backing our troops, Arbuthnot was caught knee deep in the expenses row!HYUFDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84152149510121508432009-07-21T19:04:18.828+01:002009-07-21T19:04:18.828+01:00If a loyal competent Tory like Fox, the son of a m...If a loyal competent Tory like Fox, the son of a miner and state educated, is replaced by an Old Etonian like Arbuthnot then there will be a huge row. It will be advantage Labour and deservedly so!HYUFDnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25526758004988498232009-07-21T18:15:36.957+01:002009-07-21T18:15:36.957+01:00Anon, 12:34 "...led by the worst leader since...Anon, 12:34 "...led by the worst leader since Chamberlain..."<br />Was Major really worse than Heath or Eden? Yes, 1997 was a heavy defeat, but it was inevitable whoever the leader might have been, even (some might say especially) the sainted Margaret. Inheriting a party which was tearing itself apart, and which most objective observers thought had probably been in Government for too long, and managing to pull a win out of the bag in 1992 wasn't a bad achievement in retrospect.nicknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24089001589361751072009-07-21T18:04:09.132+01:002009-07-21T18:04:09.132+01:00"... a newly created Department of Social Jus..."... a newly created Department of Social Justice" - oh please, no! We've had quite enough departmental reorganisation laced with claptrap from the present lot. Some of were hoping Cameron in office would be a touch more serious.Guy Hnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62550679296474176722009-07-21T17:22:01.634+01:002009-07-21T17:22:01.634+01:00I think that Call Me Dave should go back further. ...I think that Call Me Dave should go back further. Instead of bringing back politicians whose heyday was under Maggie Thatcher, he should do more to help other Tory politicians.<br /><br />I was thinking of perhaps digging up the likes of Winston Churchill from his grave to run the Ministry of Defence. Or perhaps we'll bring back Enoch Powell and put him in the Home Office? The possibilities are endless.<br /><br />The Conservative Party - providing real help now to all those dead people struggling through the recession. Brilliant.The Grim Reaperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543130733645367498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-50035741738006802132009-07-21T15:33:41.216+01:002009-07-21T15:33:41.216+01:00Is this about Jacqui Smith again?
Oh, BEASTS!Is this about Jacqui Smith again?<br /><br />Oh, BEASTS!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73354172968646196742009-07-21T15:07:40.947+01:002009-07-21T15:07:40.947+01:00Iain you are wrong on Stephen Dorrell.
David Came...Iain you are wrong on Stephen Dorrell.<br /><br />David Cameron must find a role for Stephen Dorrell - who was an effective Health Secretary for John Major. <br /><br />As a former Health Secretary he knows his way around the endless administrative structures imposed on Health by Labour, he understands its management problems and has a clear idea on how best to organise and motivate the Health service to achieve better outcomes - more important than ever in future. <br /><br />My evidence; seeing him grapple with an audience of health professionals and his performance during the BSE crisis. Always good value at conference too. <br /><br />Stop slurring a descent and able chapAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30521075455058077712009-07-21T12:34:48.222+01:002009-07-21T12:34:48.222+01:00Clarke?
Dorrell?>
Gummer?
Rifkind?
Maude?
wher...Clarke?<br />Dorrell?><br />Gummer?<br />Rifkind?<br />Maude?<br /><br />where did I last see this lot of dripping wet europhile rubbish?<br /><br />Ahh yes, in the worst 'Conservative' Government of all time, led by the worst leader since Chamberlain; leading us to the biggest defeat for 100 years.<br /><br />Nice one CameronAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-2650614236522477472009-07-21T12:30:39.687+01:002009-07-21T12:30:39.687+01:00I'm tending towards the feeling that a really ...I'm tending towards the feeling that a really massive Tory win would allow the party the leeway to dispute with Cameron if he fills the cabinet with Bullingdon boys & media cuddly eco-nuts. It will depend to a large extent on whether Cameron himself is seen as an asset who won the election or merely the guy who happened to be there when a Labour wipe out was inevitable. It will also depend on whether he does the tough policies required to get the economy moving or stays PC/Green. There is no question that they could do the economy a great deal of good if they started building nukes the instant they got in (Sarah Palin's promise) but that it would take some courage.neil craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09157898238945726349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5692825938132278252009-07-21T12:21:46.369+01:002009-07-21T12:21:46.369+01:00DD - Home Secretary?DD - Home Secretary?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-22543505479639964302009-07-21T11:55:34.702+01:002009-07-21T11:55:34.702+01:00Redwood would be a tremendous asset to the Treasur...Redwood would be a tremendous asset to the Treasury or BIS teams, and I am very disappointed in Cameron's otherwise excellent leadership for neglecting such a talent. It is cruel to dismiss Redwood because of supposed aesthetical "issues", when actually he comes across as a charming, fearsomely intelligent and well-briefed MP.<br /><br />IDS is another absolute must for the top team: his work on social justice could make him a formidable Home Secretary or DWP chief in the future. It is interesting to read Iain's comment that there might be a Department of Social Justice in the Cameron administration.<br /><br />I also think David Davis needs to return as Home Secretary in the interim, as he has a common touch and a dollop of common sense that would make him a solid Cabinet minister in this regard. I would say, however, that last year's resignation from the Commons was a horrendous decision that backfired and did little to alter government policy or public perception. Cameron was entirely reasonable in being mightily disappointed and angry with him.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-18793733265993975002009-07-21T11:53:02.623+01:002009-07-21T11:53:02.623+01:00David Davies "gets it" in understanding ...David Davies "gets it" in understanding the great threats to personal freedom and their undesirable consequences that come from Labour: I'd like to see him help protect our freedoms by directing the undoing of that damage at a reunited Home Office.It doesn't add up...noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-26151907401260456092009-07-21T11:39:34.441+01:002009-07-21T11:39:34.441+01:00Anonomous, Redwood has been caricatured by New Lab...Anonomous, Redwood has been caricatured by New Labour as the essential swivel-eyed, rabid right-winger, who 'scares the horses'. As you know, Labour are highly proficient at media manipulation and implanting these types of images.<br />... or are you just a Labour troll up to mischief ? (roll eyes smiley)Dimotonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51443325995502998492009-07-21T11:35:21.021+01:002009-07-21T11:35:21.021+01:00That phrase - "big beasts" - was used a ...That phrase - "big beasts" - was used a lot in the 1997-2005 period, and I have to say it confirmed in my mind that they were completely unrealistic about where they were politically, and how little they cared about getting power back. <br /><br />I reckon you have only one political "big beast" in the shadow cabinet - Ken Clarke. The rest are only big beasts if you think high office inside the Conservative Party is enough in itself to lend you serious political status. I don't even think William Hague, great speaker and debater though he is, yet has the experience (as Welsh Secretary) to make me think of him as a really big figure. And David Davis's government experience is quite limited. I don't say government experience is everything - having developed ideas must count, too, and influenced your party's thinking or image markedly - but not many front-bench Tories have done that in a serious way, either - the only example I can think of is IDS, who's a bigger figure since he left the leadership and introduced a new strand into Tory thinking. <br /><br />Before anyone thinks I'm biased, I reckon there are only two big beasts in the Cabinet. One's wounded, grizzled and angry; the other's enjoying twirling his invisible moustache in the unexpected last year of his government career.Carl Gardner, Head of Legalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11623620299558039098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-19785767245148039302009-07-21T11:34:03.792+01:002009-07-21T11:34:03.792+01:00I don't about anyone else, but Peter Lilley is...I don't about anyone else, but Peter Lilley is certainly a wasted resource. He's clever, human, empathetic, witty and adaptable. As long as he is NEVER (ever, EVER) allowed to sing in public again, he could be a tremendous asset in a Cameron government. <br /><br />OTOH, the occasional duet with Jeremy Hardy might have some comic value for masochists.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83765333826882663142009-07-21T11:30:03.837+01:002009-07-21T11:30:03.837+01:00Does anyone have an inkling of why Redwood is cont...Does anyone have an inkling of why Redwood is continually overlooked? I remember reading that only two people saw the bank collapse coming. One was Jeff Randall and the other John Redwood. I know the latter can get quite heated on political shows, and doesn't suffer fools gladly, but surely someone with such an acute brain and real business experience should be part of the Treasury Team??<br /><br />What do others think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51208324577948891642009-07-21T11:24:46.660+01:002009-07-21T11:24:46.660+01:00KP - precisely !
Dorrell is the mirror image of ac...KP - precisely !<br />Dorrell is the mirror image of ace Labourite dissimulator Denham. Two towering mediocrities.<br /><br />There should be a massive surge of top new Tory talent after the next election. It beggars belief that Cameron will reappoint the tattered remnants of the 'Major army'. A system of formal mentoring might work though.Dimotonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-461065819744805232009-07-21T11:18:26.188+01:002009-07-21T11:18:26.188+01:00David Davis is a talented politician who has convi...David Davis is a talented politician who has convictions. For this, he is to be admired. But this must be tempered against his maverick nature, which leads to ill-discipline.<br /><br />If his antics have caused the Tories embarrassment in opposition, just imagine the damage he could do to them in government.<br /><br />Yes, politicians should not be totally immersed in the partisan nature of the Commons, becoming mere robots with no scope for personal conscience, but there is a limit. I think Davis crosses this. Discipline and integrity in equal measure; not dramatic resignations to find by-elections against no-one but yourself, thank you very much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30219202549809939342009-07-21T11:17:54.346+01:002009-07-21T11:17:54.346+01:00Personally I think Riffkind should be Defence Secr...Personally I think Riffkind should be Defence Secretary and David Davies brought back to Home Office. Grayling is ineffectual and I could never understand why he was promoted to Shadow Home Office Minister. He has poor TV presence and his latest gimmick of confiscating mobiles from obnoxious youths says it all. Then what about Redwood as Chief Sec to the Treasury. Perhaps Liam Fox could be moved to Health as surely that is more his forte than Defence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84449203286074382662009-07-21T11:14:43.780+01:002009-07-21T11:14:43.780+01:00Tories haven't won it. Labour have LOST it.Tories haven't won it. Labour have LOST it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-59244203239880328792009-07-21T11:10:47.478+01:002009-07-21T11:10:47.478+01:00Looks like you think you have won already.Looks like you think you have won already.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-50012788061182483612009-07-21T11:09:57.846+01:002009-07-21T11:09:57.846+01:00Did not that political giant John Selwyn Gummer ge...Did not that political giant John Selwyn Gummer get a mention? If the Dorrell story is true the lad needs more help than even I thought.An Etonian at defence would provide a further comfort blanket.<br />PS Lilley the pink may be taking it a bit far!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-78697082458478669452009-07-21T10:56:57.488+01:002009-07-21T10:56:57.488+01:00When was it announced that Dave will definitely le...When was it announced that Dave will definitely lead the Tories to victory at the next election?<br /><br />Gordon, sadly, has shown a remarkable ability to survive.<br /><br />Contrary to the vast majority of opinion polls over the past few years, I can't see the British public, en masse, voting for an old Etonian.Dr Sexynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-42077118059147421852009-07-21T10:18:21.090+01:002009-07-21T10:18:21.090+01:00If we're intending to push through the Lisbon ...If we're intending to push through the Lisbon Treaty, David Davis might have some experience he could bring to the Whip's Office. Other than that, I doubt very much he would be of use.<br /><br />My view is that, in general, the best thing you can do with a loose cannon is to cut it adrift.Disco Biscuitnoreply@blogger.com