Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The very unsocial David Cameron
David Cameron claims in this Guardian interview today that he is the "most pro-BBC Conservative leader there's ever been". He added however that the corporation needs to cut back and "focus on what matters most". I do not think I am alone in seeing a contradiction in those words.
It is not difficult to be the "most pro-BBC Conservative Leader" on the basis of that party's previous record in government, but you cannot do so whilst at the same time seeking to dictate how the corporation should be run. After all, the whole point of having an independent publicly funded broadcaster is that they are able to get on with the job without government meddling.
I was more interested though in the Tory leader's remarks at the end of the piece on social media. The Guardian says that Cameron remains to be convinced by social networking sites such as Twitter: "I'm not on Facebook, I don't tweet. Social media, I don't really get. Politically I know it's a great opportunity; personally, I don't want to be 'poked' or whatever it is."
He sounds like an old fuddy-duddy. No doubt there are many questions about the value of social media sites but the fact is that they exist and are used and enjoyed by millions of people. Do the Tories really want to project their leader as out of touch with a whole section of the population?
It is little wonder that Nick Clegg is securing so much support from amongst the 18 to 45 age group whilst Cameron flounders.
It is not difficult to be the "most pro-BBC Conservative Leader" on the basis of that party's previous record in government, but you cannot do so whilst at the same time seeking to dictate how the corporation should be run. After all, the whole point of having an independent publicly funded broadcaster is that they are able to get on with the job without government meddling.
I was more interested though in the Tory leader's remarks at the end of the piece on social media. The Guardian says that Cameron remains to be convinced by social networking sites such as Twitter: "I'm not on Facebook, I don't tweet. Social media, I don't really get. Politically I know it's a great opportunity; personally, I don't want to be 'poked' or whatever it is."
He sounds like an old fuddy-duddy. No doubt there are many questions about the value of social media sites but the fact is that they exist and are used and enjoyed by millions of people. Do the Tories really want to project their leader as out of touch with a whole section of the population?
It is little wonder that Nick Clegg is securing so much support from amongst the 18 to 45 age group whilst Cameron flounders.
