Candid Cameron in a (lime) pickle over India comments

Yesterday I touched briefly on David Cameron's controversial comments regarding Pakistan, which he made during his trip to India.  Having made similarly controversial comments, describing Gaza as a "prison camp", just the previous day, commentators are suggesting that Mr. Cameron might be lacking a little tact in his style.


Could it be that David Cameron needs to think more before opening his mouth, or does this show a refreshing change in the style of UK politics?


One of the features of the previous government was its studious refusal to say or do anything about its neighbours in the international community that could be seen to be anything other than the accepted international viewpoint.  I believe that this could be attributed, in large parts, to the very special relationship that Tony Blair enjoyed with George W. Bush during their time in office.  With 'Dubya' calling the tune, Blair was, at times, probably a little hamstrung in what he was able to say or do.


Obviously, there's also the possibility that Blair steadfastly believed in everything he said and that it was just pure coincidence that 99% of it seemed to come from precisely the same hymnal that the US President appeared to be holding.  Anyway...

David Cameron answers a question at a 'PM Direct' meeting, the natural successor to his 'Cameron Direct' series of meetings.

David Cameron has long made it clear that, with him, what you see is what you get.  As you will know if you have ever seen, or been to, one of his 'Cameron Direct' or 'PM Direct' meetings, he happily answers questions asked of him with candour, and appears completely at ease with such situations.

Therefore it comes to me as no surprise that some of Mr. Cameron's comments are raising a few eyebrows and ruffling a few feathers in political and international circles.  Here we have a man who appears to be going against international convention in openly criticising Israel, and who even seems unafraid to bring a potentially vital ally to task over their potential links with terrorism.

There are some who suggests that Mr. Cameron's comments regarding Gaza, made in Turkey during a brief stop-over en-route to India, were merely an act of playing to the crowd; comments tailored to the location and audience, designed to win maximum approval with their recipients.  Let's not forget, however, that this opinion of Mr. Cameron's is no surprise.  He has been vocal on this topic before, and not necessarily in situations where his opinions would have the full support of his audience.

For too long, UK politics has been plagued by politicians who are more concerned about saying what they think should be said, as opposed to voicing their own opinions on the matters at hand.  If the comments of recent days are a sign of things to come from Mr. Cameron, I am particularly looking forward to what the rest of his leadership looks set to bring.