Cameron's First Term: Part 2

You do seem to have a rather parochial view of politics Nick. The job of a Prime Minister is mainly twofold.

Firstly, on the home front he/she has to to be the Leader of their political party, and form and co-ordinate party policy. Next, they have to be the head of Government and ensure that the agreed policy is carried out. They do that by appointing a Cabinet of Ministers who job is to deliver the targets set for them. The ministers are the achievers, the PM is the manager making sure it happens.

Secondly on an International front, The PM has to host and chair influential bodies such as the G8 or G20 summits, It's our turn for G8 next year, and also consider the G8+5 proposal. There is Europe where we have to make our presence felt and issue vetos where necessary. There are overseas visits to carry out, with State events and discussions upon International diplomacy. In all cases the PM has to represent our country overseas in a forthright, and appropriate manner. This includes socialising at the highest level without ridiculing International leaders.

Statesmanship is the best word for it. Churchill had it so did Thatcher, Blair sullied his premiership by his propensity for private business deals, and the least said about Brown the better. Both Churchill and Thatcher were the right people at the right time, bearing out the phrase "Cometh the hour, cometh the man". It is fine having an amiable buffoon as a City Mayor, but he is simply not seen as having the gravitas required for higher office, whatever the tabloid press might think. You have to realise that some sections of the media want to bring down the PM and the government for their own purposes. Look at who owns them and ask yourself why.

Of course everyone wants charismatic leaders, look at Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, Montgomery, etc. in addition to the two Premiers already mentioned. They inspired people to produce their best under adversity. Johnson and Milliband just don't tick the boxes. I'm not saying that Cameron exactly does that either, but he is a heck of a lot more respected abroad than Sarkozy was.

Oh and one last thing. Just supposing that during the Olympics, a 747 had been hijacked and was tracked on course for the stadium. The PM would have had the ultimate decision upon giving the order to fire to bring it down, juggling the options to minimise the loss of life likely to result. I think Cameron would have been man enough, I'm not sure about the others.

So what's the job of the Deputy Prime Minister? A mouse who continuously backs down & causes controversy?

Poor Nancy boy, in the wars again....

Cleggie in "Bigotry row"

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Wow, they must be getting really worried.....

Conservative Voice

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Thanks for the chuckle of the century Ozzie boy...confirming what we all know - you muppets just don't have a clue hence the advertising....:)

Bank of England to advertise Head job in newspapers

There you go Chris...Step up to the plate.

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Continue like this & it'll mean relegation for the coalition.
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Not all past Governments have had Deputy Prime Ministers. The DPM is the de facto leader of the Government and the country if the PM is abroad or incapacitated, to ensure that day to day business carries on. In the case of the current Coalition, Cameron as leader of the biggest party the Conservatives, became the PM, and Clegg the leader of the smaller one the Lib Dems, became the DPM.

The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) is the deputy head of Government and has special responsibility for political and constitutional reform. He is also Lord President of the Privy Council, and Deputy Chair of the National Security Council which oversees all aspects of the nation’s security.

Good post, however...

Not all past Governments have had Deputy Prime Ministers. The DPM is the de facto leader of the Government and the country if the PM is abroad or incapacitated, to ensure that day to day business carries on. In the case of the current Coalition, Cameron as leader of the biggest party the Conservatives, became the PM, and Clegg the leader of the smaller one the Lib Dems, became the DPM.

Just a quick reminder, looks like the "Thames Airport" is still on the cards

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19577410
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Nice. I like the way they've designed in the capacity for 6 runways.

Del boy says "Unions are a threat to the economy" & Inept muppets & officials are not? Just what planet are you living on? Cutting back on manpower, funds & equipment, ruin their leave because of the Olympic debacle & now you want to use them a strike breakers? Shame on you!

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Del boy rules out inquiry Carry on like this Del boy & you'll demote Blair to the "Prince of Cronyism"

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Gove accuses Welsh Government of playing politics Thought that's what politicians were supposed to do - Well pretend to do anyway

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"Cometh the hour, cometh the man"

...and you never know who this man is until that hour comes.....could even be
you Chris....something for you to think about.

Gosh, you don't ask easy questions do you!

Firstly there has to be even more transparency in expenses claimed. Before the recent furore over this, there had been a tacit approval for decades that bending the rules by staying rent free with friends and flipping houses etc was simply an acceptable perk of the job. Not any more. After the revelations of the Telegraph about dredging moats and building duck houses, it has all changed. However, I would make it mandatory for every MP to openly publish their expense claims to their constituents on a regular basis.

I would also inaugurate a public education programme about politicians. Far too many people think that MP's get a couple of months off in the summer. The average MP has at least one weekly advice surgery, often lasting over 1/2 a day and all MP's sit on a number of Committees in addition to their time in the Commons, this goes on all year even in recess. They are asked to present prizes at School speech days, open fetes, address societies and Clubs, support charities, go on fun runs etc. They should be encouraged to publicise what they do, so people don't get a false impression.

A lot of people think the local MP runs the Council, and he/she can get them a Council house. No, the Council is run by the local party with the most seats, under a Council Leader, the Mayor is an honorary position. All an MP can do is to write a letter upon their behalf asking for their case to be reviewed, and hopefully upgraded to a higher banding. People complain to their MP about pigeon droppings under railway bridges. They don't understand that these sort of issues should be referred to the Councillor for their Ward, who does have the power to get something done.

I would want to introduce a school lesson once a week for 11 year olds and above to teach them how local government works, how it dovetails into National government, and how our laws are formulated and enacted. This will usefully prepare them for their own time when they can vote themselves in hopefully an educated manner. They should all have at least one school visit to the Public gallery at the Commons to see for themselves how it all works.

I want to see legislation taking shorter time to get put on the statute book. It can take years for all the readings and Committee stages to complete, and even then it can get filibustered at the last moment. Of course our legislation has to be properly thought through and debated, we can't have half baked laws rushed in because of a lack of very careful consideration. But the timescales need to be shortened.

The government need to explain to the people why they hold the views that they do, in simple plain language that everyone, even tabloid readers, can understand. For example, when most of the media and the public want us out of Europe, why does the government think it best to stay in? They need to tell us. Again with the Human Rights Act which is being misused every day of the week. Why won't they repeal it? We deserve to be told simply and clearly why not. The oft held view that look, you elected us, now go away and let us get on with it won't hold up any more.

And finally we need to negotiate a different agreement with the media. Far too many second rate hacks make a living denigrating politicians with a vengeance that sometimes borders upon the fanatical. Of course we want free speech in this country, and of course it is the job of the media to report ineptitude and incompetence to the public, and to challenge Government policies and decisions that they believe to be wrong. But when some of them resort to constant mud slinging with lurid headlines, just to bolster their falling circulation figures, or to comply with their owners wishes, it can start to undermine the fabric of society. Why bother to vote? According to the Daily XYZ they're all a waste of time anyway etc.

That will do for starters. Don't blame me, it was you that asked! I expect you'll disagree with 99% of it, but to return the riposte ...

What would you propose?

Now that is your best post ever! One extra ruling to be added: -

Any peson entering politics for their own self serving purposes to be sacked the moment that becomes clear. Only have people who genuinely wish to serve the country.
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Thank you, that is a welcome opinion. And I agree with your second point. Rules are in place for constituency parties to de-select their MP if it should prove necessary, but they could be made stricter.

Nice one BaE

Hey Del-boy, how about stepping in here & ensuring that the frogs & heinies don't get a look in.
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We got it right with the Harrier, and we've done it again.

We got it right with the Harrier, and we've done it again.

OOPS.......

Masters of the cover up

Oh dear.....

Taxpayers to spend another wasteful £4 Million

"Today the Conservatives admitted they have given up hope of forcing through the changes but the civil service will continue with the project as if nothing has changed". shades of "I started, so I'll finish" Magnus Magnusson

Oh boy, not a very good week for Police senior officers...... 3rd one this week....

Senior Officer suspended over "Serious Misconduct" charge

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Just a few things that quickly caught my eye from those three links.

First-class rail travel, supposed to be exceptional, is again becoming the norm. Fifty MPs have even been allowed to claim for expensive iPads. Why?

It's not important anyway she is small fry.