So how did he do?

Yesterday I covered the subject of David Cameron's impending speech to the Conservative Spring Forum; laying out what I thought to be the most important issues he must cover in order to make his speech a success.  So, how was it?


1.  A Simple, no-nonsense speech
Speaking without notes or without an auto-cue has rapidly become David Cameron's party-piece, to the extent where it's almost expected of him these days.  Yesterday, he didn't disappoint.  A good, passionate, stripped-down speech in which he made it very clear to the Party, what a vote for the Conservatives will achieve.

2.  Stick to the issues
And how!  A few (very) brief allusions to the week's news aside, this was a not a speech on why you shouldn't vote Labour, rather a list of clear and well reasoned arguments as to why you should vote Conservative.  Immigration got name-checked, but I would have liked to have seen a little more substance on that one.  Other than that, Cameron made sure, yesterday, that we know what the Conservatives want to do.

3.  Take the fight to Brown
Perhaps not the easiest one to judge here, as Cameron didn't really say anything blatant.  However, a couple of reminders of how soon an Election will have to come, coupled with the assertion that each further day under Brown is taking Britain further and further into the hole makes it clear.  Cameron wants this election, and he wants it now.

4.  A five point plan
With the policies he mentioned, Cameron has shown that the Conservatives have something for everyone; young or old, rich or poor.  A couple of the policies could have done with a little clarification; the re-linking of the state pension to earnings for example (this wasn't clear at all whether it will be high wage = high pension or high = low).  Now all that he needs to do is keep rolling out these policies until people are sick of hearing them.

5.  Prove we are ready for Government
Not only did Cameron direct some of the focus onto his Shadow Cabinet, he brought them to the fore.  We now know not only who they are, but what they do and how good they are.  Cameron just needs to spend a little time now backing up his claims as to their brilliance.

So, all in all a very good speech aimed not at those inside the hall, but rather at those outside.  The Party now needs to rise up with the messages given to them and take the message to the four corners of the country; "We know what's wrong, we know how to fix it, and we are the best Party for the job".


However, having covered all of the points I made, I have just the one question for David Cameron:

Have you been reading my blog??