The torch of progressive thinking passes to the Conservatives

Posted by Mandate Insider at Tue, 11/08/2009 - 4:18pm in Political commentary

Mandate's Political Insider is sweltering in Demos' South Bank HQ listening to George Osborne combine Conservatism with Kennedyism as he claims "the torch of progressive politics" has been passed to HIS generation.

But does his speech add up? Mr Osborne's first claim is that his Conservatism, and indeed the Conservatives at their best, are "unashamedly progressive". In fact, he paints a solid progressive line (of his own definition) from Disraeli (reforming voting), through Baldwin (pensions), RAB Butler and Margaret Thatcher (selling council houses) as one progressive path.

But maybe therein lies the problem in this speech I start to think. Apart from a passion about using online communications, and improving Government communications about itself, Insider has to ask itself if Osborne is really just re-labelling long existing Tory thinking with a new label.

Wave after wave of Osborne's words seem to be going on, on, and on again about the joys of fiscal responsibility as the best way to ultimately build bigger and better public services.

But then hang on...

It may be the heat getting to me, but I think George Osborne has just said that the Tory heritage not only includes Disraeli and Thatcher, but in fact a pantheon of names of the left, from the Swedish Social Democrats, Bill Clinton and Lloyd Bentsen, Jean Cretian and Trotsky (ok, I added that last one).

How is Osborne squaring this circle I hear you cry? Suddenly all becomes clear, Tony Blair and Alan Milburn had it right; it's Gordon Brown and his big clunking fist that pushed progressive thinking aside. The spirit of Blair lives on and he's called George Osborne!

There are a suddenly a surprising number of smiling faces around me. Reform is what is at the heart of the Tory agenda. The Tories are saying they've moved on from their old selves, but have settled on Blair era Labour as the model for what they are offering.

A surprisingly pensive Michael Gove sits at the front and watches. His finger pressed to his lip as if to signal to Osborne "hang on George, even I think this has gone a bit far". But on and on Tony Osborne drives on. Sweden rears its head again - as the example of everything we need our schools and society to become.

Overheated rhetoric in an overheated room? Maybe, but one thing's for sure, this man feels ready for Government and feels nothing but contempt for the incumbents he faces across the despatch box.

The battle lines for the General Election is clear. And watch out Mr Brown, the Osborne/Cameron tank is parked firmly on your lawn...

Tagged with: George Osborne, Conservative Party