THE MORE PARTIES CHANGE, THE MORE ALIKE THEY BECOME:

Cameron's statement of beliefs stresses social responsibility (Julian Glover, March 1, 2006, The Guardian)

David Cameron yesterday insisted that clear blue water remained between Labour and the Conservatives as he launched a statement of beliefs committing his party to reducing poverty, helping the developing world and acting on climate change.

Mr Cameron emphasised that the document, Built to Last, backed individual action over state control. "We believe in sharing responsibility; that government doesn't have all the answers; that we're all in this together - individuals, families, business, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, business and government. This is a real battle, with a real prize at stake; the chance to tackle those long-term challenges that are so vital for our future. There's a clear choice between our approach and Gordon Brown's." He was also adamant that the modernisation of the Conservative party did not mean caving in to Labour's agenda.

Although Mr Cameron argued that many "enduring" Tory values were right for the time and for the challenges Britain faces, he insisted the party had to work to improve its image and reputation. "We know we have to change," he said. "I stood for the leadership because I'm fed up with hearing that this party is out of touch, backward-looking and lacks compassion. That's not the Conservative party I'm leading.

"This party voted for change. Now we have to show what that change means. Not just what we're changing from but what we're changing to. We have to show that the change is real, that it means something, that it's built to last. That's why today I'm setting out, in this statement of aims and values, what we stand for and what we're fighting for."

The document will be put to a ballot of party members before the autumn party conference, in an attempt to demonstrate that the Conservative grassroots back Mr Cameron's approach. The signs were that Mr Cameron would win the vote easily, despite concern that the document's lack of controversy could cause many of the party's 250,000 members to abstain.

Repeat after me: Thatcher's way was totally different than Pinochet's; Blair and Clinton's ways were totally different than Thatcher's; Newt Gingrich and George W. Bush's way were totally different than Clinton's; John Howard's way is totally different than New Zealand's; Junichiro Koizumi and Stephen Harper's ways are totally different than George Bush's; and David Cameron's way is totally different than Tony Blair's.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 1, 2006 7:10 AM