PUNCH & JUDY POLITICS

I liked David Cameron when he first became Tory leader.  He was a breath of fresh air after a succession of quite appalling Opposition leaders.  He seemed genuine in his desire to take the Conservative Party to the centre of British politics. I liked his commitment not to engage in 'Punch & Judy' politics.

I have been out of the country so today I watched Prime Minister's questions for the first time in three months.  Cameron used all six questions to insult the Prime Minister, telling him how useless he was at his job.  He is in a unique position to question the Prime Minister on the issues of the day.  But where were the questions on the economy, the Gurkhas, Royal Mail reorganisation, Swine Flu, etc ?  Six questions and nothing but childish insults.

Of course, all this delighted the Tory benches, whooping with glee as he indulged in this pathetic personal attack. Does Cameron think this will appeal to the wider public, too ?  Or will they perhaps see that these unpleasant personal attacks are a distraction from Conservative policies ?  

Cameron has now shrugged off his cuddly, liberal image, and is tacking to the right.  Brown and Obama see increased public spending as the most likely way to see us safely through this recession.  Cameron and the Republicans in America want spending cuts.  But maybe Cameron fears the British public may prefer the Brown approach so he has decided to play the man, not the ball.

When watching the American Presidential election, I was struck by how much respect Obama and McCain showed each other.  How much nastier and more trivial does British politics seem.

Brown's getting a kicking from the awful British media, and even from some of his own supporters including the very dim Hazel Blears.  Cameron believes in kicking a man when he's down.  I hope he never becomes Prime Minister.