The American Spectator : A Broken David Cameron

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A Broken David Cameron

By Robert Taylor on 8.17.11 @ 6:07AM

An Obama-like tendency to appear as an empty suit.

LONDON -- Is David Cameron a great Conservative leader in the making, or a shallow PR man without the guts to change Britain? His response to anarchy on our streets will tell us.

When he became Prime Minister Britain had no great appetite for a Conservative-led government. He won power more because of the failings of an exhausted left-wing administration than his own vision, and even many Conservative voters expected him to be, at best, an average Prime Minister.

He was lucky not to have the burden of expectation that President Obama faced. Whereas Obama delivered his inauguration speech in front of hundreds of thousands of adoring supporters, Cameron's first utterances on the steps of Downing Street were drowned out by protesters shouting "out, out, out" a few yards from where he stood. Few Prime Ministers have started out with less respect and anticipation, making it almost impossible for him to disappoint.

And yet some of his supporters were confident he could do better. Five years earlier, when he became Conservative leader, they'd heard him identify Britain's "broken society." He didn't just recognize our massive social problems, but was prepared to make them his priority, and boldly proclaimed that he would do for society what Margaret Thatcher had done for our economy.

Of course his opponents scoffed. "What's broken about Britain?" they said, even as gangs of youths murdered on the streets of London and generations of families lived on nothing but welfare.

But then what happened? He went quiet on the whole issue. Perhaps he was cowed by the risk of telling a truth that was so critical of his own country, or afraid of "talking Britain down." Perhaps he was ashamed to be so obviously Conservative. Whatever the reason, he barely uttered the words "broken society" from the moment he entered Downing Street until his rushed return from vacation last week. Anarchy on our streets finally jolted him into action.

His failure to make Britain's broken society his main priority for government did the country a disservice as great as anything served up by the liberals among his political opponents, who never understood, or never admitted, how broken Britain was. Now, just as many Americans are pointing the finger at Obama and saying "what have you delivered?" so Cameron's supporters are staring at him, wondering whether he's an empty suit.

He must be kicking himself. He could and would have been recognized as a far-sighted, inspirational leader if he'd had the courage of his convictions to make Broken Britain the central plank of his Prime Ministership. Even if the riots had still happened -- and they would have done, because no government can transform society in 15 months -- he would now have the moral and political authority to lead the fight back.

As it is, and for all his powerful words in the last few days and belated recognition that Britain is "not just broken but sick," he leaves doubts in people's minds. A Prime Minister who could have led our moral revival as he entered Downing Street, but chose not to try, gives the impression of being out of his depth.

Now, he has another shot at proving worthy of the challenge he set himself -- of reversing decades of social decline. He has finally recognized the need for an American-style zero-tolerance of crime and anti-social behavior, and early intervention in families and schools so that youngsters grow up with a positive mindset, knowing how to behave like civilized human beings. His proposed initiatives mix the carrot and stick in a country that has had neither for too long. They sound impressive, though the hard work, of course, is to come.

Some people from other countries have generously viewed Britain's riots last week as a warning for Western democracies generally. But the social problems Britain faces are distinctive. The people of other countries don't riot for the sake, as Cameron puts it, of "pure criminality," and Britain is the only country where the failure of many of its own people to behave in a decent, civilized way is a now a major political issue.

Great leaders find words to galvanize action and inspire people, such as Churchill's "We will never surrender", Reagan's "Tear down this wall" and Martin Luther King's "I have a dream." Cameron now needs to find the words to inspire Britain's moral fightback. He should forget the "Big Society" that his advisors came up with a couple of years ago, which mystifies just about everyone who hears it. Instead, Cameron should speak of "A Britain that cares" -- an invitation to everyone who values responsible community spirit to help build a country where people once again care about society and care about each other.

David Cameron let his supporters down once by a failure of political courage. He now has another chance to show us what kind of Conservative leader he is.

About the Author

Robert Taylor is a writer and business columnist in London.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (55) | Leave a comment

Kevin Dunn| 8.17.11 @ 6:44AM

To expect Cameron to show the qualities of leadership now required is asking for the impossible. It is like saying "If Hitler had been rational he could have won the war." But then Hitler would not have been Hitler, and a tough, Churchillian, insightful Cameron, which the present situation demands, would not be Cameron at all. Just to make things really cheerful, the leaders of the other parties are even worse - much worse. Britain's only hope is a conservative party (perhaps under another name) reformed from top to bottom and led by men of both firm moral values and iron determination, who can recognise the country is in a desperate crisis and force it to take the possibly very bitter medicine it needs.

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 11:59AM

With a birthrate below replacement for everyone not named after a stooge, with the worst school system in Europe, with no patriotism, with the banning of the Union Jack where "it might offend," Britain would need a robust Lady Thatcher to get out of this one.

Britain is Dar-Es-Islam. Funny, when I posted this several years before, no one believed me. Now, it's hard to ignore. It will be impossible to ignore in 2020, and by 2030, only Clint will ignore it---Paul will have been long gone by then.

Other than Israel, we have no robust friends.

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 12:05PM

A BNP focused on destroying sharia and restoring Conservative values that eschews racism might do it.

Flayer| 4.30.12 @ 4:07PM

Conservatives are not racist. Sharia is.

Ken (Old Texican)| 8.17.11 @ 6:51AM

As the twig is bent, Robert.
Man, I'm glad I don't have his job. Talk about the Agean Stables!

Appleby| 8.17.11 @ 7:04AM

This is what happens when you tell people that they can have everything they want, the nanosecond they want it, and somebody else will pay.

When you cannot deliver, they help themselves.

Melvin| 8.17.11 @ 7:23AM

I guess a person could say, confronting the socialist nemesis was not Cameron's finest hour.

Bob K.| 8.17.11 @ 8:52PM

I was paging through the issue of "The Economist" on the newsstand in my local Barnes & Noble today, reading about the riots in Britain. It had quite a few nice things to say about him and his response to the rioting.

martin j smith| 8.17.11 @ 7:57AM

When I look across the Pond at Britain I say to myself--this could be US in the near future. I have strongly believed that the welfare state's prime purpose is to keep the rabble from rioting by essentially bribing them. Problem is its blackmail--the more you give the more expected and so year by year demands are pushed and money spent and bingo we run out and then what ?

The same thing happens between government and Unions--same process--you buy their support but the cost keeps going up until... guess what babaes--no moe in du til.
Here is a current example of same: In a very blue city in a failry blue state our brilliant genious transportation agency wants to raise the cost of going thru tunnels and bridges 50%. Why ? To build infrastructure projects and "improvements"
But--what is really all about are UNION CONTRACTS,UNION JOBS. So what do you have the Tax payer who has to fork over more mulah versus the UNIONS who want the jobs and guess which political Party gets the Union support. ? And what will happen if they do not get their JOBS ? It will beughly at some point especially if there is a Republican president and congress. THEY WILL RIOT--YOU BET And, the LEFT will support them YOU BET. Who are the terrorists ?

Dai Alanye| 8.17.11 @ 9:19AM

"A Britain that cares?" I don't know how that sounds to a Brit, but to an American it sounds remarkably off-key and weak. How about, "A Britain that won't tolerate public drunkenness?" Or, "A Britain where self-defense is encouraged?"

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 12:00PM

An interesting point about self-defense---something I learned in NZ is that self-defense is that defense of the citizens of the Commonwealth is a right reserved to the Crown. Ponder the implications of that for a moment.

Al Adab| 8.17.11 @ 12:08PM

Which raises the question of just how our government might respond to similar riots among the government created "underclass' those who have been taught they are entitled, in this country. Would they make excuses for the defenseless "poor" or would perhaps they find the excuse for martial law in the cities involved? Undoubtedly it would be not the fault of the rioters but of the Tea Party and the Republicans who are so nasty to those who "need our help".

Pat| 8.17.11 @ 5:55PM

AL – our government will respond by shutting down cell phone service according to today’s Boston Herald. In fact, it has already happened in California. Here’s the scenario: The cell-phoners text the following: “Today at Sunshine Mall, at noon, bring your dad’s cinder block, we’re gonna score some IPADS”. Folks then converge on the mall from all points of the compass, the police are quickly overwhelmed, as usual, and the smashing and grabbing begins. It’s a recent cultural phenomena, although President Obama, speaking today from within endless rows of 6 foot tall corn, claimed this practice actually started under Bush. And our government’s “shut down the wireless network” plan has some merits, we know that’s true because the ACLU is already opposing it for civil rights reasons.

Verbal threats, while always popular among government officials, don’t seem to work with Flash Mobs. For example, Mayor Nutter of Phillie had this to say to any potential Flash Mobs: “The rule of law will be obeyed”. Next, Nutter may sternly invoke the ever popular: “General lawlessness won’t be tolerated”. However: “Gas them and if they resist, shoot” will not be uttered. The National Council of Mayors considers such language to be inhuman, like waterboarding - the old “rule of law, blah blah” threat is considered a sufficient deterrent. So, if you’re having a heart attack in Phillie, rely on an old fashioned telephone line for that 911 call – a Flash Mob could be currently engaged in ignoring the “rule of law”.

Flayer| 4.30.12 @ 4:09PM

Or a "Proud Britain." Instead I see toothless, weak-minded dhimmis.

Kevin Dunn| 8.17.11 @ 9:53AM

I realize now what I was groping towards expressing in my earlier post. WE ARE AT WAR.
And if we don't realize it, we are dead.

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 12:01PM

Yup, Kevin, you are correct. That's why Paul's ratings are going down faster than Clint on a Jihadist.

JimH| 8.17.11 @ 10:01AM

Tories are not necessarily conservatives as understood in America, with a few exceptions such as Margret Thatcher.

Culzean| 8.17.11 @ 10:20AM

Whever the UK has been in trouble in the past a leader has emerged. Perhaps we need more trouble, because leadership is not a quality found in any UK politicians at present.

Perhaps if any one of them had actually had a job, as opposed to careers in limp, liberal, minority-focused talking-shops as consultants and advisors, they may show a little more understanding of the capitalist model and the leadership qualities necessary to make it work.

Anyone who has a backbone to spare, please mail to: The UK, London.

nister| 8.17.11 @ 10:12AM

One half of one percent of Britons own fifty percent of rural land. The poor aren't stupid, just poor.

Culzean| 8.17.11 @ 10:26AM

Nister, you obviously haven't visited a school in the UK recently. Our education system promotes illiterate zombies hooked on the instant fix and with no aspirations other than a winning lottery ticket, having sex with a footballer or starring in a 5th-rate reality show to become a "celebrity".

15 years of liberalism means that no-one does sport anymore. If they do, no-one is allowed to win or lose. Children express themselves rather than learn and degrees (which have been devalued to nothing) are taken in "pop music" and "media (i.e.soap opera) studies".

The poor ARE stupid. That's 90% of the problem.

Culzean| 8.17.11 @ 10:49AM

And what's worse, they don't care that they are stupid and no-one drives them to be anything else.

nister| 8.17.11 @ 11:01AM

You talk of the capitalist model; it's obviously working for that .5%, the aristocracy that owns such an immoderate amount..the "job creators" extolled and cossetted by their political lampreys. Isn't it obvious that their monies are on the sidelines? Isn't it just as obvious that, by and large, they got what they have by succession, not merit?

Culzean| 8.17.11 @ 11:34AM

Capitalism demands social mobility. Social mobility requires an energised and motivated workforce. The "poor poor" in Britain bleat on about their "right" to State support whether they want to work or not. Meanwhile the people who do work, pay for the "poor's" right to have Satellite TV and their ability to have 8 kids with 4 different partners.

People need to want to work and then be happy with a fair day's wage for a fair day's graft. And if they can't find a job, they need to get on their bike and find one (after N Tebbit Esq. MP, c. 1980).

I recently found a scheme in SE England where there are more than 900 apprenticeships available and no-one wants them as today's spoiled "yoof" see the jobs as "beneath them".

BTW, your aristo argument is hardly current, is it? And anyway, so what? Would you want to inherit and have responsibility for a load of land which is a nice asset but no cash, plus a crumbling pile that eats money like a whinging benefit seeker going through pizza and KFC?

The nub of your vitriol should be directed at our "career politicians". My previous response refers.

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 12:03PM

The kids in the Commonwealth, as a general rule (there are exceptions), want to get drunk or high or both or get laid, to the exclusion of work.

nister| 8.17.11 @ 2:12PM

What apprenticeship? What are the terms, and how do you know why it's unfilled?

And yes, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above....

culzean| 8.17.11 @ 5:02PM

and I'll be delighted to fence you in...

Stoddard| 8.17.11 @ 1:55PM

I had a friendly English woman as a pen pal. She was probably late 30's, single mum. She spoke charmingly and was somewhat simple but seeing the grammar and spelling of her letters put her at an 8-year-old's level. I am not exaggerating.

Flayer| 4.30.12 @ 4:10PM

Those that "lead" the poor are not stupid, however.

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 12:04PM

No, no---they're also stupid---the education does not challenge. Jews in the Ghetto were poor, too---but their education challenged them. And that made all the difference.

martin j smith| 8.17.11 @ 11:01AM

Here is another element and that is against whom are we at war. Let me put out my perception: Its we the rabble against the Socialists and their RINO allies. Let me offer one recent incident that shows the point:
The Tea Party had the utter temerity to ask our Holyness --our ONE and ONLY a questionabout calling Tea Party folk "terrorists" and what does our wunderkind say: He Lies !!!!!!!!!! He denied Joe B said it. The a former GWB type scolds the Tea Party for not being RESPECTFUL TO THE PRESIDENT. Say I put it out that GWB and all his buddies can go jump in their favorite lake and I say--keep pushing. But make no mistake this is war and better be prepared. Oh and i almost forgot--on our favorite FOX NEWS--NOT !!!!!!!!

cicero| 8.17.11 @ 12:13PM

As the great Margaret Thatcher once said, "Socialism works very well, until you run out of other peoples' money." Well, the West has runout of other peoples' money. Nows the fun begins.

Flayer| 4.30.12 @ 4:12PM

There's always a Mugabe around the corner.

John of Indonesia| 8.17.11 @ 12:23PM

As an Indonesian who lived at Jakarta I really don't know much about Europe's politics and politicians, but I really surprised when this article said James Cameron a conservative.... as unknowledgeable as I am I do always see Cameron as a liberal leftist based on his policies and decisions.

John K| 8.17.11 @ 1:19PM

You are not wrong!

ABNCP| 8.17.11 @ 1:28PM

I lived and worked in the U.K. for 12 years. I worked for a rather large air line, the USAF. I married a Brit and my wife has a large family over there. These people are good solid worthwhile people, Civil Engineers, Solicitors, Contractors and they all have been married and stayed married for many decades. There children are nurses, teachers,
entrepreneurs and soldiers. One has served six tours in Afghanistan. His wife who was also in the British army was the first female British soldier killed there. So the point I am trying to make is that there is a large section of the British population who still hold the same traditional values they have always held. Just like most of the the people in this country. The politicans that have led them and us have been horrible and have been on this progressive/Marxist crusade for over fifty years. Maybe the time has finaly come when We The People of both countries find and elect leaders who represent and will enforce the values that will make both countries great again. I we can't do that then God help us..

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 2:35PM

Yes, there are good people. Not enough, sir. And they don't breed. Your wife has a large family. Tell me, of the current generation, sir, are there 3 kids per woman? Or more like one?

That's the problem.

Pelligrino| 8.17.11 @ 11:06PM

So, let me see, ABNCP, you want to tells -- I summarize -- there are plenty of good folk in Britain and they've been standing around lamenting this for the last 50 years.

That's the problem. Their standing around. Some call this "lethargy."

While they go fetch another pint or two or three tonight at the corner pub with the umpteenthmillion football match of the year on the telly in the background. Oh, and on the way to the pub, they dropped a few bets at Ladbrokes.

While at the pub, wifey is getting her giggles at some Brit version of Sex in the City or Jersey Shore.

On the way home from the pub, views four to five ruffians in the street, peeing on the walls of a house, all of them drunker than skunks and under 21. But you don't say anything. No, no. Just not one's place to comment or judge.

Oh, yes, but these are good people!

Good people who sleep in on Sunday mornings.

Good people who send their children off to marxist liberal debauched universities and say nary a word.

Have any of these good people ever shared with you Britain's number one selling daily paper for the last quarter century? Yes, the one with the photo(s) on page 2.

Good people who wouldn't be caught trying to walk the streets of the nearby largest city after dark most weeknights.

Good people indeed.

Pat| 8.17.11 @ 1:36PM

Ironic, the British and their parliamentary form of government field Cameron to counteract the mess created by the Left, there’s rioting in the streets, high unemployment among native born Britons, a decades long downward spiral in new employment opportunities within private manufacturing and the private service industries - and with the only growth industry being the phenomenal rise of welfare state government jobs and social services’ “helping the less fortunate” positions. Then there is our American form of government, different in political practices and legal procedures but with identical problems.

And looking at a Marxist-Leninist form of government – strangely enough, the exact same problems. Over half of China’s population doesn’t yet realize the benefits of indoor plumbing but Mercedes and Bentley dealerships are opening throughout China’s major cities along with ultra-plush gambling resorts needed to entertain China’s new class of millionaires, rapidly on their way to billionaire-ship. The working class among the Chinese and the Brits seem to share identical attitudes; a sense of hopelessness and a burning resentment toward their society. Three different forms of government, different leaders, same problems – no solutions.

How does a “leader” lead when members of the populace thoroughly resent each other, where the word “countryman” is no longer based on shared values but defined only through boundary lines drawn on a map. Maybe the right man or woman will come along equipped with all the right answers - answers which could free us from our collective anger. Maybe a world government will emerge possessing all the secret formulas which will lead us on to universal peace and contentment. And then again, maybe not.

RCV| 8.17.11 @ 2:11PM

The British lost an entire generation of its most promising young men in the folly of World War I, and they never recovered. They turned Churchill out of office at the key point at the end of World War II, and its been downhill since. The guilt of the post-war generation of Brits over colonialism led them to offer automatic British citizenship to all members of the Commonwealth. (I am reminded of a wonderful scene from one of the Rumpole gems, where She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed is complaining of all the "Pakis" in the civil service, and Rumpole replies, "It is small recompense, my dear, for putting up with your Aunt Mathilda in the Punjab for all those decades.")

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 2:34PM

I have the Rumpole series. Mortimer IS a genius. Very accurate view of the Legal Dodge, I must say. ;)

ABNCP| 8.17.11 @ 3:37PM

To Occam's Tool.. Actualy sir, their children average three children per married family.

Occam's Tool| 8.17.11 @ 4:01PM

G-d Bless them---but they are, unfortunately, not usual. I'd mention gently to them that they might want to come Stateside.

PCP Smoker| 8.17.11 @ 7:42PM

He is like Bill Clinton but able to bed a higher class of women.

Christopher Holland| 8.17.11 @ 9:09PM

Cameron isn't a leader and has no convictions, so don't expect anything from him except failure. He doesn't have a conservative bone in his body, so it is a waste of time waiting for him to act as if he does.

House| 8.17.11 @ 11:17PM

A BNP focused on destroying sharia and restoring Conservative values that eschews racism might do it.
http://www.summer-products.com
http://www.ainibag.com

sara| 8.17.11 @ 11:18PM

As the twig is bent, Robert.
Man, I'm glad I don't have his job. Talk about the Agean Stables!
http://www.jerseys-hats-store.com
http://www.honey-gifts.com

Marc Jeric| 8.18.11 @ 12:01AM

Cameron is no Margaret Thacher - he is just an empty suit, just like our Mullah Obama whose Pinocchio-like nose grows ever longer with each marxist lie.

POST American| 8.18.11 @ 12:25AM

NOT UNTIL Britain faces it's Chatham House
and Tavistock ROT-child and HEIR-IS--TOXIC--RAT problem
---will things begin to turn around for the better.

EVEN beyond the latest empty suit 'conservative'
in 10 Downing Street --even beyond the Brown
--Blair ---Thatcher opening of the floodgates
to 'their' commonwealth ----NOTHING will
change until this longstanding USURY and HEIR--IS--TOXIC --RAT and Freemason mess is outted will it turn around.

mjfin| 8.18.11 @ 3:25AM

Taylor:

"A Britain that cares . . ." That's your slogan? It's exactly the Britain that cares that got your country into this mess.

Someone hungry? Feed her.
Someone uneducated? Educate him.
Someone poor? Give her money.
Someone ill? Give him medical care.

All for nothing. All unearned.

Someone dependent, without skills, without any loyalty to his community, angry he is not given enough, expecting others to take care of him . . .?

Roy| 8.18.11 @ 5:19AM

Excellent article, and a very smart set of replies that were a pleasure to read. All have a lot of truth in them.

MIKE HARRIS| 8.18.11 @ 10:02AM

Our working class, or rather lumpenproletariat, IS capable of rioting through pure bad behaviour, with no ulterior political intent .Round here (in London) we call them the 'Trainer Riots'(trainers=sneakers). The kids saw a shop being looted,on TV- they set off en masse to get a taste. Criminality, with an absence of moral values, that's all. Don't fall into the same error as the Left, attributing deep social causation to mere criminality.

Flayer| 4.30.12 @ 4:15PM

Actually the highest correlation to poverty & criminality is with unwed motherhood. I believe Britons lead in this department.

play nice| 8.18.11 @ 1:25PM

Perhaps the world is changing so fast and far that the current crop of leaders find themselves clueless as to what to do.
The as top down solutions fail, "the people" will take matters into their own hands. First order of business will be that if you can't or won't fish, row or cut bait, you're out of the boat. No longer can societies survive with an ever growing, ever demanding and increasingly dangerous
subcultures. Politicians and bureaucrats too should take care to become productive.

Mistral| 8.19.11 @ 2:35PM

Too late - Blair betayed the left & took it centre while the right has been taken centre by Cameron. British politics is bogged down in a treacle of centre-ground compromise from which it will not emerge until the economic disaster is complete. Blame 70 post-war years of preaching materialism, consumerism and avarice. There is no more directional sense left in the UK. Sounds like USA, no? Popular democracy has fared little better than state control apart from a few new technological gadgets. In fact, can we tell the difference?

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