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In their mini West Wing, they look like a government in waiting
Joe Murphy, Political Editor08.10.09
David Cameron's speech took shape in a mini West Wing set up in his conference hotel.
Floor four of Manchester's grandiose Midland hotel was turned into a miniature version of how Downing Street could look under Conservative rule.
Despite the chaotic nature of a temporary base, the thickly carpeted zone around the rooms of Mr Cameron and George Osborne breathes quiet purpose and power. A suite at the end of a corridor became a comfortable room for the Tory leader to meet a stream of VIP guests, ranging from industrialists to editors. It operated the same one-way system as the Oval Office in the White House: visitors, met by young aides, wait in the corridor but are led out through connecting hotel rooms so they never meet.
In the next room, an oval mahogany table and 10 chairs are set out for the morning meeting, where the Tory leader's key lieutenants like communications and planning director Andy Coulson gather at 8am to survey the morning headlines and decide how to react to problems.
Through more connecting doors, which are kept open most of the day, is a room crammed with 10 computer screens for secretarial work or hot-desking by researchers. Visitors might glimpse a striking figure padding through the makeshift offices in bare feet, shorts and a T-shirt. It is Steve Hilton, the marketing genius who is one of Mr Cameron's closest friends and strategy advisers.
The speech itself was virtually complete yesterday afternoon, with none of the hasty overnight rewrites that characterised Gordon Brown's preparations in Brighton last week. Final changes were made in the cosy reception where Mr Cameron sat down with William Hague, George Osborne and senior aides. Sam Cameron took part, but there was no question of her copying Sarah Brown and introducing her husband to the stage.
Mr Cameron then went to the hall to practise his lines, keen to get a feel of a space he privately feared might be too vast to build up a crowd atmosphere. No autocue was planned because Mr Cameron prefers to use old fashioned paper scripts and his memory. A podium was planned — presenting a sterner image than the speak-and-stroll style of old. Yesterday evening, a relaxed looking Mr Cameron said he had “finishing touches” to do as he toured the conference receptions but the key messages were mapped out well in advance.
The whole set-up feels eerily similar to Tony Blair's attempts to become a government-in-waiting in 1996. The money is flowing in, as it did for New Labour. The conference has made a profit of £1.3 million, compared with a £500,000 loss two years ago. The party's debts are down from £23 million in 2005 to just £4.9 million.
Mr Cameron is in opposition but, like the young Mr Blair, he manages to give the impression he is on the brink of power.
Reader views (3)
UKIP! What a joke - it's a party for those blinkered few who think that a referendum is a more improtant issue than the economy, schools, health and jobs. Thankfully UKIP will always remain an obscure, miniscule party full of Colonel Blips talking to themselves...
- Nick, Battersea
Without Europe the UK is nothing and UKIP has no platform worth listening to. The UK must be at the centre of Europe.
- Mark, London
They've blown it,UKIP all the way for me now.
No referendum,NO vote.You listening,Dave??I think not.
- Stephen, London
