In case you missed it here is a link to today’s Vanity Fair profile of Cameron, with the stand-out line coming from Ed Vaizey (again): “He is, I believe, much more conservative by nature than he acts, or than he is forced to be by political exigency”.
The House of Commons is eerily peaceful today. The consensus theory is that politicians are keeping their heads down ahead of the general election still expected on May 6. (The Budget has been confirmed for March 24).
As a result I’ll have time to blog on Cameron submitting himself to the intense scrutiny of Alan Titchmarsh at 5pm. If it’s interesting. (Their interview may or may not look something like this.)]
TITCHMARSH UPDATE:
5.40pm: The Tory leader still hasn’t had his moment in the sunshine. Sharlene Spiteri is currently singing a song: Xanadu by ELO. If this is ITV cranking up the tension, I’m not sure it’s working.
5.44pm: Cameron is here. He is a “young guy” (pull the other one). He has “drive and passion”. And he’s “in love with this country” (did I hear that right?).
5.45pm: Cameron indicates he will let ministers stay in post for longer. Points out we’ve had five defence secretaries while at war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
5.46pm: He prefers neither Coronation Street nor Eastenders. Although he used to watch the latter at university.
5.47pm: Prefers Lily Allen over Lady Gaga (Is this the Lily Allen who said ‘fuc*k you Cameron’ at a recent gig?)
5.48pm: He has “equilibrium and balance”. And is a reasonable person. What are his weaknesses? He won’t admit them on primetime TV. Is he too posh? “I had great advantages when I grew up and am…grateful for what my Mum and Dad did for me.” He says he has never had trouble relating to other people’s lives. “Who you are and what you’re like rather than where you’re from.”
5.49pm: Says he bought a house to persuade Samantha to marry him: very Middle England.
5.50pm: Gordon Brown has more experience than DC, he acknowledges, but got us in this mess: “We’ve experienced his experience,” says DC. Neatly put.
5.51pm: Why narrow gap in the polls? Recession, expenses scandal…people don’t trust any politician at the moment. They want to see some real “gumption” (does anyone else use that word?) from their leaders.
5.52pm: SamCam won’t give up her job if DC becomes PM. You will see her on the campaign trail, however. Tonight is Cam’s night off and he has promised the children pancakes for tea. Before going to see a film.
5.53pm: We should encourage squabbling married couples to stick together and work out their issues via Relate, etc.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey