Can David’s style win the day?

As Tony Blair prepares to stand down, what of the Conservatives whose conference begins this weekend? For the first time in many years, the Tories seem to believe they can win a General Election.

Unlike the other two major parties, they seem content with, and united behind, their new leader.

But what sort of leader is he?

David Cameron seems the very opposite of Gordon Brown. As today’s Economist magazine puts it: “Mr Brown is all substance and, sadly for his polling figures, no style. Mr Cameron is, so far, all style and not enough substance.”

David Cameron’s job at the Conference is to put flesh on the bones of his politics, to show the nation some substance.

And yet in these media-conscious days, no-one should overlook the issue of style.

Style is the indefinable thing that brought Tony Blair to power and turned his farewell Conference speech into a tour-de-force. It is a subtle blend of appearance, timing, humour and the common touch.

The Tories chose David Cameron as much for his style as his policies - and is now surprised to see how liberal and green some of those policies are.

But so what? Ten years ago, after an eternity in the wilderness, the Labour Party realised its only hope of power was to sacrifice its principles and appoint a stylish young leader.

The Tories have done the same. Some Tories may not care much for the tree-hugging Mr Cameron but he is their best hope, and they know it.

In the months to come, David Cameron may have to do no more than keep his nerve and look good as Labour divides into warring camps.

As two middle-aged Scotsmen, Messrs Brown and Reid, prepare to battle for the heart and mind of England, stylish Mr Cameron may look a brighter prospect than either.

Jail term is minor hazard for dealers

We can only despair at the pitiful sentences handed out to drug dealers in Wolverhampton’s Operation Engage.

This is a vast international industry which enslaves and kills millions.

British solders are fighting and dying in Afghanistan to stem the supply. Police in Wolverhampton risked their lives to gather evidence in this huge, long-running operation.

To what end? The longest prison sentence is three-and-a-half years. Some of these dealers will be free in a matter of weeks.

Such penalties are not a deterrent but a minor occupational hazard. Drug dealers can make more in a day than a soldier or police officer makes in a month.

Those who put their lives on the line to protect society from the horror of drugs deserve a better result than this.

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