Who's listening?
- 18 Jul 07, 03:20 PM
In politics, you should always ask yourself why people are saying the things that they're saying.
At the moment, both Gordon Brown and David Cameron are competing for the ear of a single man - Paul Dacre, the editor of the Daily Mail. It's the paper which both men believe has a direct line to the voters of Middle England and which, although it's traditionally Tory backing, is willing to heap praise or pour ordure on to the heads of leaders of either party.
Dacre has long been close to Brown. So much so that he attended the funeral for the Brown's first child, Jennifer. The two men may disagree about much - not least Europe and the need to cut taxes - but they also recognise that they are kindred spirits in other ways - not least their aversion to what they would regard as the spin and lack of substance of Messrs Blair and Cameron.
Yet it was Mr Cameron who won the first round of the "Battle for Dacre's ear" with his promise of a tax cut to back marriage. The very next day (a coincidence?) Gordon Brown went onto the radio to remind people that he was a son of a Church of Scotland minister before going on to announce a U turn on Super Casinos. You've guessed it, he was rewarded with a glowing editorial in the Mail.
Today at PMQs I suspect both men were trying to drop a word in the ear of Dacre and, whilst they were at it, Middle England too. David Cameron asked about the crimes committed by those released early from prison. Meantime, Gordon Brown announced a review of whether cannabis should be upgraded to Class B from Class C. Just the sort of thing Mr Dacre might like.
Both men may be disappointed today as I suspect the Mail may focus on their enemy of choice - that's right, the 91热爆.
