Mirroring New Labour?

One thing I remembering causing consternation at the time of the original announcement was David Cameron’s commitment to the NHS — I’m sure I remember HIGNFY or The Frankie Boyle Show (Mock the Week) laughing at the looks of the old ladies at the conference.

When I heard it, I was delighted. For several reasons.

I would argue that the battle for the NHS had already been won, oh, too long ago for me to remember when. It is so deeply embedded into the fabric of our society that we could never get rid of it. Not that some competition isn’t a good thing — witness the failures of New Labour (and Patsy “Patronising” Hewitt in particular) at running the NHS. However there is another ideological battle which has been won, this time by the Conservatives of the 80s: the pro-business, pro-free-market battle.

These are, I would respectfully submit, the two most significant and widely followed ideological orthodoxies in 21st Century British politics to date; and their acceptance as status quo defines the political landscape in this country. None of the major parties will challenge the orthodoxy of these positions, for which I’m eternally grateful: it has clipped the wings of the parties and moved us all to the centre.

David Cameron’s choice to campaign on the NHS reminded me of Tony Blair’s wooing of the City. Both claimed a position traditionally associated with the opposition party. For both this was an integral part of transforming their parties: in both cases they were able to position their parties as more centrist and reasonable; in both cases they have made their parties more electable; and in both cases they have sent a huge psychological signal to the electorate that they are intending to build on what works — a positive, aspirational message. Both are bold, even daring, moves: unpopular with the roots but hugely attractive to the wider electorate. And with that touch of cheekiness just adding to it’s roguish charm.

Although we don’t know the outcome of David Cameron’s decision, we can see in purely political terms the success of Tony Blair’s. But there is one thing we have already learned: David Cameron has shown the good sense and humility to learn from past Tory failings and past Labour successes. In short, David Cameron has shown excellent leadership.