There’s a very interesting piece about political ideology in the latest edition of Total Politics. Apparently 12% of sitting Conservative MPs and 43% of candidates view their political philosophy as ‘Cameronism’. The exact percentages are largely meaningless; only 34 MPs and 69 candidates replied to the ComRes poll. However, the fact that Cameronism featured on the list at all warrants analysis.
I had never heard the phrase before seeing these poll results. We hear about ‘Cameronites’ and ‘Cameroons’, but Cameronism is not a label that the media (either mainstream or new) seem to have adopted. So what exactly is it? I’ll venture a few suggestions.
Firstly, it is concerned with social reform. There is such a thing as society. Families and communities are central to David Cameron’s political philosophy, as is a concern for less advantaged members of society. Recognising marriage in the tax system, allowing parents to come together to found new schools, welfare to work policies and treating the causes of family breakdown are all part of this commitment.
Secondly, it is about decentralisation of power. Or, to use a phrase Cameron likes, the ‘post-bureaucratic age’. Cameron clearly wants to radically shift power downwards to individuals, localities and councils. More directly-elected mayors, for example, and elected police commissioners. The ability to trigger national and local referenda. Housing policy controlled locally. Parents being able to set up state-funded ‘free schools’. More and more open primaries (and open caucuses, if you want to be pedantic) in the selection of Tory candidates.
Thirdly, it is a more encompassing, broader form of conservatism. Support for the NHS, acceptance of gay rights, the proactive promotion of women and ethnic minorities, concern for the poor and the acceptance of the environmental agenda have all allowed Cameron to march onto territory previously occupied by the Left. Meanwhile, the pledge to raise the Inheritance Tax threshold, to cut Corporation Tax and to restrict non-EU migrants as played with the Right, as has the creation of the European Conservatives and Reformists, and the promotion of Chris Grayling as Shadow Home Secretary.
Fourthly, it is not unthinkingly loyal to neoliberalism. Whether it is criticising the corporate culture of banks, advocating charges for supermarket car parks or setting up the Conservative Co-operative Movement, Cameron has shown himself able to see the flaws in free market capitalism. His public break with Thatcherism in 2006 and the Tories’ recent refusal to condemn Labour’s bonus tax are more examples of this.
Of course, we do not know for certain how much of this ideology is sincere, and how much is mere political positioning. For what it’s worth, however, I think Cameron is largely sincere.
Over at The Guardian, Andrew Sparrow has also blogged about the Total Politics results. He notes with some surprise the number of people (38% of MPs and 22% of candidates) who describe themselves as One Nation Tories. He goes on to describe Cameronism as ‘One Nation Toryism for the internet age’. This may also explain why a such a large number of MPs describe themselves as One Nation Tories, when it is an ideology that has not been popular for some time. Maybe they regard themselves as Cameron-esque, but prefer to use the older and more recognisable term to describe it?
Overall, I think Cameronism is a broad ideology, encompassing more progressive messages on the NHS, poverty, equality and the environment with more traditional stances on immigration, Europe, crime and public spending. It is a moderate, centre-ground ideology that seems to appeal to a wide range of people. Should Cameron win the next election, however, its biggest tests will be how successful it is as a philosophy for government, and whether or not it outlives David Cameron’s leadership.
