Cameron's speech

[FredPuli43]

Anyone else wonder why politicians in Britain, and now Cameron, go on about their parents and family? Cameron's reference to his father was stomach turning.

[jno]

I expect the answer is much the same as those on this thread

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1177951.html

[VHG]

Party conferences used to be places for the party to discuss policies.

Now they are "publicity" campaigns to make the party look united, nice people, people you can trust and so on.

This is true of all the parties.

[emmie]

i didn't watch much of it, but perhaps he wants to try and show that he is a human being, don't know the context in reference to his father, was that any different to when he mentioned his late son.

[ladybirder]

No it wasn't em, both having disabilities.

[youngmafbog]

Probably to show he understands.

Generally I believe it is diversionary tactics. Talk about something like that some will slate, some will sympathiz4e but whatever, attention is diverted from the real problem. Milli-band, the fact he has no policies, Cameron because is aren't working because he refuses to listen to the people considering himself aloof.

[humbersloop]

And Jeremy Hunt's reference to his father was creatively NHS-friendly

"To my father who worked as a manager for the NHS" he said.

His father, Admiral Sir Nicholas John Streynsham Hunt, was Commander-in-Chief Fleet before entering the private sector. He was chairman of the South West Surrey district health authority from 1990 to 1996, when he left to join the private company Nuffield Hospitals.

Do give over

[emmie]

i really don't care to be honest.

[Hopkirk]

It's all driven by spin doctors these days.

I think to a certain extent that is the appeal of Boris, he seems to be a bit different and more of a take me or leave me attitude.

[anotheoldgit]

All this tear-jerking seems to work on TV shows such as X factor, perhaps these politicians are trying the same tactics to try and woo the electorate?

[whiskeryron]

Did any of you catch a glimpse of the prompter DC was reading from, it's all written down for them to read out. Oh for the old fashioned politition who speaks from the heart !! lol.

WR.

[FredPuli43]

Cameron's father had to have operations on his legs when young.
But the suggestion, inherent in the speech, that his father had been successful because he devoted himself to hard work to further himself,overcoming great difficulties, an example to us all, might just be a little overstated. The family was always wealthy. The wealth starts with his great-great -grandfather, who made a fortune in grain dealing, and built a the 'family seat', a very large house with its own estate in Scotland. Cameron's father was a stockbroker, and a partner in Panmure Gordon , as his own father and grandfather had been. That's hardly starting with nothing, joining 'the family firm', as it were.

[LazyGun]

Ed Milliband last week invoked his own family history, in an attempt to offer a narrative to the public, and as an attempt to demonstrate "man of the people" qualities.

Cameron has to attempt to counter much of the public discontent over the economy and austerity measures, and to do that have to attempt to show they are a party of the people, rather than posh entitled boys of privilege.

No real surprise that Cameron mentioned his father and the hurdles he overcame then, or that he mentioned his son Ivan in the context of disability.

Actions always speak louder than words though, and there seems little evidence of this caring sharing approach in the current crop of coalition policies, especially when it comes to the disabled and those needing NHS treatment.

And the idea that somehow he can extend the schooling of Eton to every child in the land is just nonsensical rhetoric, soundbite politics designed to appeal to the core vote, as it the idea that the tories are not defenders of privilege.....

[emmie]

I never saw much of that from Labour's 13 years in power. Long waiting lists in hospital, failing schools, and a seemingly a budget deficit so big we are now paying through the nose for it.