THE GUARDIAN: David Cameron has finally got to the steps of 10 Downing Street, but the vast majority of Conservative activists believe he should have been there a week ago, elected with his own stable majority.
Ahead of last week's election, everything was set up for the Conservative party. The British economy was weak. Gordon Brown's reputation was in tatters. The Labour party was divided. In contrast, Cameron was the most popular Tory leader for a generation in mid-term polls. The party was twice as well-funded as Labour and was able to afford the most professional marginal-seats operation ever seen in UK politics.
And yet, the Tories fell short. The result was not a disaster, but it was much less than it should have been. Cameron should not have had to make deals with the Liberal Democrats and spend the next few months worrying if his government will survive. Quickly learning the lessons of an inadequate campaign is essential for the Conservative party. There is talk of fixed term parliaments, but it remains more than likely that Britain will be backs at the polls within the next year. It is vital that the Tories run a much more professional and focused campaign at the second time of asking. >>> Tim Montgomerie | Wednesday, May 12, 2010
