David Cameron avoiding confrontation?
After watching Davis versus Cameron on Question Time last week I concluded Davis is definitely the man to take on Blair/Brown in debate.
David Cameron isn’t helping me to think otherwise.
David Cameron was accused last night of avoiding further television duels with David Davis and a grilling with Jeremy Paxman.
In an interview to be broadcast tonight, Mr Davis will face the famously confrontational Paxman on BBC2’s Newsnight.
If David Cameron is seen to be running shy of television presenters then what hope do we have that he can tackle the real thing in Parliament?
The fact that he has finally agreed to a Sky interview - but not until November 24th - and has, in principle, agreed to a Paxman interview - but with no date agreed - points towards Mr Cameron waiting until party members have already voted for him before exposing himself to the slings and arrows of outrageous interviewers.
Party members like myself need to see him as fearless and confident because, if he wins, we’re going to be working hard for a party which he leads. For the ambitious - like myself - his performance can directly affect my success. I don’t know whether he’s deliberately avoiding tough situations but the suspicion should not even arise. If it’s true that he is then that’s a disaster. If it’s not then his team are handling his campaign badly by allowing such suggestions to arise. Mr Cameron should prove everybody wrong now and get on television at every opportunity and fight it out.
That, after all, will be an integral part of the job for which he is seeking election.
I agree with part of what you’re saying there Gary. Cameron definitely needs to get out and get as much experience as possible. However a bruising encounter with Paxman would likely make him look worse rather than alay any doubts so he should definitely postpone that as long as possible.
Davis wont go for the jugular with Cameron, his bad press in light of the University drug taking issue stopped that, so his double sessions with a faux chaperon (in Davis) is the best option at present. However, his inexperience is telling, as Question time showed, he needs to work up to it and I’m sure he’s not quite ready for Paxo.
At the moment of course Davis is going to look better, he’s the seasoned bruiser we all know and love and won’t take any crap thrown his way. In the long run however he just can’t change his spots, like William Hague he may be able to beat Blair, and certainly Brown at the despatch box but he will not lead the Conservatives to no. 10. Cameron however could. Davis would make a brilliant home secretary I have no doubt, but as a PM, no way.
Comment by Gregor — November 10, 2005 @ 10:09 pm