THEN GEORGE W EXPLAINED TO GEORGE F...:

Why Simon Heffer is wrong about my Tory principles (David Cameron, 03/11/2005, Daily Telegraph)

The choice underlying the Conservative leadership contest is becoming clearer every day: do we repeat the mistakes of the past and consign our party to permanent opposition? Or do we learn from our three election defeats, change our party and put ourselves in a position to change our country? Do we want to lose again, or do we want to win?

That is the choice - and it is a serious one for Conservative members to make.

Their deliberations are not assisted by the caricature of my views presented here by Simon Heffer yesterday. He argued that the Conservative Party "should espouse a smaller state, lower taxes, more individual responsibility, national sovereignty, the rule of law and a humane but strong national identity". He implied that these are principles which I do not share.

The only interpretation I can put on Mr Heffer's remarks is that he hasn't read what I have said about these things. [...]

I am certain that if we present our traditional principles in the context of modern, compassionate Conservatism, as part of a message of change, optimism and hope, then we will be able to reach out to those millions of people who share our values but who have not supported us at the last three elections.

Ah, but to lose with purity cleanses the soul....

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 2, 2005 9:08 PM