Mark, the climate may be changing, but for British Conservative leader David Cameron it’s always, oh, 2007. Ever since his decision to renege (more or less — there were some weasel words) on a referendum over the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, the Tory lead at the polls has looked a little vulnerable. Given the devastated state of the British economy that represents a failure on an epic scale. Now, with the climate scandals deepening by the day, and his poll lead evaporating still further, Cameron has arranged for this:
Shadow chancellor George Osborne is set to announce that one of Gordon Brown’s most influential environmental advisers is to assist a Conservative working group. Lord Stern’s 2006 report for the Treasury on the economics of climate change was a key factor in the development of the Government’s approach to global warming and he is frequently cited by the Prime Minister as an authority on the need for action.
Even if (as David Cameron evidently has) you have succumbed to a fundamentalist view of AGW, now is not the moment to send a signal to that effect to a Tory base that is, quite evidently, underwhelmed by Cameron’s ‘Blue Labour’ style. Much of what Cameron has done to take the Tories to the mushily-defined center has been politically necessary, but this latest gesture will impress no one who is not already impressed and will depress many who are already depressed.
Way to lose, Mr. Cameron.