Brown and Cameron : fish out of water ?

Question

This in an entirely non-partisan question; I never vote but I do observe. I get the impression that Cameron's initial strength was that he had charisma, maybe not in the same league as Blair's but of the same kind. His strength was that he had charisma and wasn't Tony Blair. Now that Blair has gone, isn't Cameron a doppelganger without his double ?

Brown is a quite different sort of politician from either Blair or Cameron - not only in depth of intellect but in his under-stated approach to the premiership. He seems to be acting as PM much as he acted as Chancellor : with definite ideas and a determination to carry them through but not in any limelight-seeking kind of way. I know his popularity ratings are good but can he create and sustain a powerful media presence ? Without that, for good reasons and bad, I don't think he can keep the voters on his side.

Who knows ? Maybe Brown will restore a less showbiz style of politics, taking us beyond the age of Blair & Cameron.

kuriouskelly : Perhaps it's both. I only said I was non-partisan, not taking a Labour or Conservative or any other political party stand. I suppose I do dislike the charisma style of politics. So your comment on 'polemic' is apt. But, equally, the 'question' was serious. Cameron seems to be slightly lost now he hasn't got Blair to contrast with. And Brown appears not fully comfortable, not in his natural element, in the forefront of attention. These are personal impressions. I just wondered if they had any resonance with other people.

Answer 1

I think david cameron is not a good conservative leader as he has no substance. Gordon Brown as PM makes me laugh because he is the dullest person you could imagine as PM. Saying that his good points are that i think he will plan things carefully and execute them correctly not like the hash that Blar used to make of things. maybe in time he will blossom but i doubt it. He isn't an attractive person to watch as he does that really strange thing with his mouth that i cant stand! You never know he might surprise everyone! I personally vote conservative more out of principal than anything else wether or not they have a good leader at the time.

Answer 2

I don't like 'style over content' politics, nor personalising politics around the leader. So, give me boring politicians with good policies and a belief in Cabinet Government. Of course, the media are largely to blame for the personalisation of politics. They need putting in their place, because they behave as though they are the Government. (upstarts) I think it started with 'Thatcher-ism'.

So, I go with Brown for removing the style and theatre, but alas, it's the same party, with its determination to carry on destroying Britain, or should that be England.

I am unsure about Cameron, because he knows that the Blair years has moved the centre ground of politics to the left, and is unsure how to handle it. I personally, want a conviction politician, but I see his dilemma having to deal with young brainwashed voters.

Answer 3

Is this a question or a polemic? I'd love to think that you are right, but unfortunately I think that Brown is posturing just as much as Blair or Cameron ever did. His whole brand of 'what you see is what you get' honesty is just another ploy. He could never have got on so well in politics if he actually said what he really thought.

Answer 4

Come the hour come the man/woman.
Neither have appeared and I can not help but feel it is getting a little late. I look to the future with a sinking heart

Answer 5

given time..i think Gordon Brown will be a great PM. and at least he has been down to see the flood victims also...where was Cameron? - in Rwanda i believe. big mistake!

Answer 6

charisma, for me, is out. i have learned to go for policy, and like you i dont vote, because all our politicians, are not our politicians, they are europes politicians. and i want total home dominion, untill somebody offers this i shall never vote for any colonised euro servant.