What Britain most needs is a clear vision
David Cameron is seeking to grab back the political initiative this week and show that he is a man not a mouse. This a reference to a stinging question by Tory MP Tim Yeo who said it was time for the Prime Minister to prove which he was over his refusal to back a third runway at Heathrow.
In yesterday's Mail on Sunday, Mr Cameron was determined to prove that he has the "fighting spirit" to "cut through the dither that holds this country back". We can now expect to see a series of announcements on housing, planning, employment, infrastructure and schools.
It would be premature to judge these proposals until we have seen the detail. However, our immediate concern is that they appear at first glance to have the familiar hallmark of coalition policies and that is confusion.
The common view about Mr Cameron is that he needs to show a bit more pluck: a little bit more Thatcher, a little less Heath.
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However, that rather simplistic perception fails to identify the real Achilles heel of the coalition and that is not lack of pluck but lack of clarity. It is all a bit of a muddle.
The confusion over planning is a good example. Mr Cameron wants to get rid of red tape and has hit out at the "Not In My Back Yard" attitude which holds up planning applications. "The nations we're competing against don't stand for this kind of paralysis and neither must we," he said.
However, this is the same Government which is, according to the Conservatives' website, "returning decision-making powers on housing and planning to local councils."
But surely if the planning rules are now going to be ripped up and local objections swept aside for the greater good, this cannot possibly be true. So, which is it? Is the Government going to champion development as an engine of economic progress, or stand up for local decision-making even if that means things don't get built?
Mr Cameron strikes us a man who desperately wants to do the right thing, but is just not entirely sure what the right thing is. So, instead, of clear action we just get mixed messages.
We really hope he proves us wrong and a clear vision emerges over the course of the next few weeks, because that is what the British economy desperately needs.
Comments
by Graham_LE8
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 8:41AM
“Once again the online version fails to include a byline. Who's opinion is this?
I'd agree with the headline, that Britain needs a clear vision, but more importantly, I'd think we need a House of Commons full of people with integrity and a sense of national purpose that extends beyond party politics, utilising co-operation and acumen to boost recovery for us all.
I fear I'm (along with the rest of the country) going to be somewhat disappointed...”
by garyb2011
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 7:58AM
“What we need is to balance our budget - the days of apparent plenty are long gone (although we and more importantly our children will be paying for them for years to come).
We need real cuts in public spending (not the reduced increases that we are getting now).
We need less government not more
We need tax cuts for the productive workers
We need to cut our contributions to the EU
We need to burn red tape
We need to cut overseas aid
We need to freeze uncontrolled immigration”
by DonHenson
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 6:09AM
“Cameron is simply not up to the job. Style triumphed over substance - and he has little style”
by Grant2010
Monday, September 03 2012, 10:34PM
“What a load of old cobblers! He nor his quisling, have every had any political initiative nor even an original thought in their lives. They just regurgitate the same old rubbish that big business pumps out like modern day Lord Haw-Haws', on behalf of the controlling fascist.
When will politicians accept they are elected to represent their electorate, not behave as mere quis-lings to big business?
It too easy to control the down trodden workers and blame them, when the truth's politicians from all parties have aided and abetted big business in corporate abuse the working class.
What happened to honest businessmen and politicians with moral fibre?
What happened to campaigning investigative journalism?
We appear to have non that are willing to stand up and be counted.”
by prog_rock_fan
Monday, September 03 2012, 5:33PM
“@"Mr Cameron strikes us a man who desperately wants to do the right thing"
Gee... he strikes me as just the opposite.”
by disident3
Monday, September 03 2012, 5:27PM
“Just sent him a pound of Red Leicester.”
by LikeItaLot
Monday, September 03 2012, 4:00PM
“I am no labour supporter but:
they have spoken against many recent strike actions, just check the record
they advocated cuts almost in line with the coalition just over a longer timescale. Remember it is New Labour (closet Tories) not a socilaist party”
by amoros11
Monday, September 03 2012, 3:14PM
“The shadow alternative is a Prime Minister without an independent governmental policy dictated by The Unions unable to speak out agaisnt strikes.
On the economy It seems The Anti Coalition Lobby wants growth, but prefer to oppose all cuts or measures that is intended to bring that about. What is Labours strategy or vision beyond this point? Apart from a deflection of responsibility of a previous legacy onto The Coalition and to advocate the same failed measures again.”
by LikeItaLot
Monday, September 03 2012, 10:10AM
“Cameron has a clear vision as to what he wants for this nation, he just dare not make it public and in your face”