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| David Cameron, the 'loons' and gay marriage - what the national papers say | David Cameron, the 'loons' and gay marriage - what the national papers say |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| These are dark days for David Cameron and his government. Today's newspapers, in company with TV and radio news bulletins, are dominated by disputes within his party over same-sex marriage and the European Union. | These are dark days for David Cameron and his government. Today's newspapers, in company with TV and radio news bulletins, are dominated by disputes within his party over same-sex marriage and the European Union. |
| In addition, the claims about one of the prime minister's aides having referred to party activists as "swivel-eyed loons" is the subject of several leading articles and surely adds to the air of gloom in Downing Street. | In addition, the claims about one of the prime minister's aides having referred to party activists as "swivel-eyed loons" is the subject of several leading articles and surely adds to the air of gloom in Downing Street. |
| Every national daily carries reports on the determination of a significant proportion of Tory MPs to wreck Cameron's plans to legalise gay marriage. | Every national daily carries reports on the determination of a significant proportion of Tory MPs to wreck Cameron's plans to legalise gay marriage. |
| Three splash on the issue: "Tory rebels set to inflict new defeat on Cameron" (The Times); "Meltdown on gay marriage" (Daily Mail); and "No 10 pleads with Labour to save gay marriage bill" (The Guardian). | Three splash on the issue: "Tory rebels set to inflict new defeat on Cameron" (The Times); "Meltdown on gay marriage" (Daily Mail); and "No 10 pleads with Labour to save gay marriage bill" (The Guardian). |
| The Daily Telegraph chooses the "loons" affair: "Tories begin defecting to Ukip over 'loons' slur" but also gives front page space to a piece on the other drama, "Tory rebels back 'wrecking' plan for gay marriage bill". | The Daily Telegraph chooses the "loons" affair: "Tories begin defecting to Ukip over 'loons' slur" but also gives front page space to a piece on the other drama, "Tory rebels back 'wrecking' plan for gay marriage bill". |
| The Sun's page two draws all three issues together under the headline "Loony doom: Mad row, Europe and gay marriage 'destroying' Tories". Its political commentator, Trevor Kavanagh, tries to see it in positive terms for Cameron, as long as he follows an anti-EU policy. | The Sun's page two draws all three issues together under the headline "Loony doom: Mad row, Europe and gay marriage 'destroying' Tories". Its political commentator, Trevor Kavanagh, tries to see it in positive terms for Cameron, as long as he follows an anti-EU policy. |
| The Independent splashes on Europe, "British business: We need to stay in the EU - or risk losing up to £92bn a year", after being the recipient of a letter from "some of Britain's most successful and eminent business leaders." | The Independent splashes on Europe, "British business: We need to stay in the EU - or risk losing up to £92bn a year", after being the recipient of a letter from "some of Britain's most successful and eminent business leaders." |
| The signatories include Richard Branson, Martin Sorrell, BT chairman Michael Rake, Lloyds bank chairman Win Bischoff, and UBM chair Helen Alexander. | The signatories include Richard Branson, Martin Sorrell, BT chairman Michael Rake, Lloyds bank chairman Win Bischoff, and UBM chair Helen Alexander. |
| The triple drama is too good an opportunity for the Daily Mirror to resist. It devotes a spread, headlined (somewhat optimistically from a Labour point of view) "Cam's last stand". | The triple drama is too good an opportunity for the Daily Mirror to resist. It devotes a spread, headlined (somewhat optimistically from a Labour point of view) "Cam's last stand". |
| But Cameron will be much more concerned by the leading articles and op-ed articles in the papers that traditionally back his party. | But Cameron will be much more concerned by the leading articles and op-ed articles in the papers that traditionally back his party. |
| In spite of the Conservative co-chairman, Lord Feldman, having denied telling two journalists that Tory constituency activists are "mad, swivel-eyed loons", the Mail believes the "casual insult… chimes exactly with how members of Downing Street's inner circle tend to describe those who deviate from the official party line." | In spite of the Conservative co-chairman, Lord Feldman, having denied telling two journalists that Tory constituency activists are "mad, swivel-eyed loons", the Mail believes the "casual insult… chimes exactly with how members of Downing Street's inner circle tend to describe those who deviate from the official party line." |
| It says: "This contemptuous attitude has created division and distrust at the very moment the party should be pulling together to win the next election." | It says: "This contemptuous attitude has created division and distrust at the very moment the party should be pulling together to win the next election." |
| Referring also to Lord Howe's "warning" that Cameron risks losing control of his party, it reminds the prime minister that his activists will be doing the donkey work at election time rather than "the chums he has surrounded himself with at Number Ten." | Referring also to Lord Howe's "warning" that Cameron risks losing control of his party, it reminds the prime minister that his activists will be doing the donkey work at election time rather than "the chums he has surrounded himself with at Number Ten." |
| The Times pursues a similar theme in its editorial, "Time To Swivel", in which it argues that "Cameron is in danger of alienating not only his enemies but also his friends." | The Times pursues a similar theme in its editorial, "Time To Swivel", in which it argues that "Cameron is in danger of alienating not only his enemies but also his friends." |
| Whether or not Feldman did or did not describe party members as "mad, swivel-eyed loons", the paper detects that it "is indicative of more than a split between the core of a political party and its fringes. Rather, it highlights an attitude at the heart of government, and one that is neither pleasant nor wise." | Whether or not Feldman did or did not describe party members as "mad, swivel-eyed loons", the paper detects that it "is indicative of more than a split between the core of a political party and its fringes. Rather, it highlights an attitude at the heart of government, and one that is neither pleasant nor wise." |
| It continues by talking of the elephant in the Tory's party's headquarters: | It continues by talking of the elephant in the Tory's party's headquarters: |
| "Mr Cameron and his inner circle may well be right to believe that an election cannot be won by dogged adherence to the views of the Conservative base. But they are quite wrong to regard those views, and those who hold them, with such thinly disguised disdain. | "Mr Cameron and his inner circle may well be right to believe that an election cannot be won by dogged adherence to the views of the Conservative base. But they are quite wrong to regard those views, and those who hold them, with such thinly disguised disdain. |
| This latest critique of grassroots Conservatives is strikingly redolent of Mr Cameron's own dismissal in 2006 of Ukip supporters as 'fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists'. | This latest critique of grassroots Conservatives is strikingly redolent of Mr Cameron's own dismissal in 2006 of Ukip supporters as 'fruitcakes, loonies and closet racists'. |
| Indeed, there are a great many similarities between many Conservative activists and the party of Nigel Farage. Predominantly, both groups are older than Mr Cameron, less affluent than Mr Cameron, and likely to lead less metropolitan lives. | Indeed, there are a great many similarities between many Conservative activists and the party of Nigel Farage. Predominantly, both groups are older than Mr Cameron, less affluent than Mr Cameron, and likely to lead less metropolitan lives. |
| They are likely to worry about equal marriage, likely to be hostile towards the European Union, and likely to be sceptical about climate change. As these comments show, contempt for the views of such people morphs all too easily into contempt for the people themselves and for their circumstances." | They are likely to worry about equal marriage, likely to be hostile towards the European Union, and likely to be sceptical about climate change. As these comments show, contempt for the views of such people morphs all too easily into contempt for the people themselves and for their circumstances." |
| The Times, reminding readers that it too supports "equal marriage", "understands that a Conservative party that takes dramatic steps in the direction of Ukip or even Conservative activism is one that will not win an election again." But it concludes: | The Times, reminding readers that it too supports "equal marriage", "understands that a Conservative party that takes dramatic steps in the direction of Ukip or even Conservative activism is one that will not win an election again." But it concludes: |
| "Mr Cameron and his close advisers must recognise that it is not mad or 'swivel-eyed' to take a different view, and that there is a decent, hard-working, less metropolitan sort of Conservatism that is worthy of their respect. When inclusivity begins to exclude, something is badly awry." | "Mr Cameron and his close advisers must recognise that it is not mad or 'swivel-eyed' to take a different view, and that there is a decent, hard-working, less metropolitan sort of Conservatism that is worthy of their respect. When inclusivity begins to exclude, something is badly awry." |
| A variation of that viewpoint is explored in historical terms in the Telegraph by Tim Bale, a professor of politics at London's Queen Mary university, in a piece headlined "Swivel-eyed, or seeing clearly?" | A variation of that viewpoint is explored in historical terms in the Telegraph by Tim Bale, a professor of politics at London's Queen Mary university, in a piece headlined "Swivel-eyed, or seeing clearly?" |
| He thinks "many activists are clearly livid with a leadership they believe is riding roughshod over everything they hold dear" while "the high command… is increasingly exasperated with its own supporters." | He thinks "many activists are clearly livid with a leadership they believe is riding roughshod over everything they hold dear" while "the high command… is increasingly exasperated with its own supporters." |
| Bale believes angry Tories are prepared to do "irreparable harm" to Mr Cameron's "slim" electoral chances and may well accept the "loons" label as "a badge of honour". | Bale believes angry Tories are prepared to do "irreparable harm" to Mr Cameron's "slim" electoral chances and may well accept the "loons" label as "a badge of honour". |
| Though uncertain that most Tory activists fit the stereotype of being "hidebound specimens" who are against the EU, overseas aid, wind farms and gay marriage, he contends that while "public attitudes have become noticeably more permissive over time, those of ordinary Tory members have not changed quite as quickly as everyone else's." | Though uncertain that most Tory activists fit the stereotype of being "hidebound specimens" who are against the EU, overseas aid, wind farms and gay marriage, he contends that while "public attitudes have become noticeably more permissive over time, those of ordinary Tory members have not changed quite as quickly as everyone else's." |
| There is now, he writes, "a profound mismatch between the Conservative party as an institution and the lives of its 21st-century membership." | There is now, he writes, "a profound mismatch between the Conservative party as an institution and the lives of its 21st-century membership." |
| At its foundation, its membership "was rooted in deference, and dependent on people prepared to do the donkey work without demanding any serious say on policy." Her continues: | At its foundation, its membership "was rooted in deference, and dependent on people prepared to do the donkey work without demanding any serious say on policy." Her continues: |
| "All this… has now changed utterly… the party's membership, particularly that of its activists, has been reduced to its essence – boiled down, if you like, to people with motivation over and above the norm... | "All this… has now changed utterly… the party's membership, particularly that of its activists, has been reduced to its essence – boiled down, if you like, to people with motivation over and above the norm... |
| To attend party conference nowadays is to see this split manifest. A few members of the silent majority still gamely turn up, but many more who might have gone before are absent – priced out of the event by the lobbyists and wannabes, or else convinced that it's all got a bit too serious for the likes of them. | To attend party conference nowadays is to see this split manifest. A few members of the silent majority still gamely turn up, but many more who might have gone before are absent – priced out of the event by the lobbyists and wannabes, or else convinced that it's all got a bit too serious for the likes of them. |
| Today's Tory members have also been influenced by the very consumerist ideology that their party did so much to champion. Activists want MPs – and ministers – who allow them to express their choices and get what they want immediately, in exactly the same way as they can every day in the market." | Today's Tory members have also been influenced by the very consumerist ideology that their party did so much to champion. Activists want MPs – and ministers – who allow them to express their choices and get what they want immediately, in exactly the same way as they can every day in the market." |
| In The Daily Express, Chris Roycroft-Davis, asks: "Why has Cameron turned against his own supporters?" | In The Daily Express, Chris Roycroft-Davis, asks: "Why has Cameron turned against his own supporters?" |
| He also considers the division between the party leadership and core voters. Or, to put in his pejorative terms, "a socially elite clique of public schoolboys and Oxford graduates" as distinct from a party of "once-loyal supporters" who are "ordinary people like you and I." | He also considers the division between the party leadership and core voters. Or, to put in his pejorative terms, "a socially elite clique of public schoolboys and Oxford graduates" as distinct from a party of "once-loyal supporters" who are "ordinary people like you and I." |
| He can understand why they (he?) are now prepared to give their votes to - Ukip, "the Eighties Conservative party reincarnated." | He can understand why they (he?) are now prepared to give their votes to - Ukip, "the Eighties Conservative party reincarnated." |
| The Express's "ordinary people" are different, however, from those who inhabit what The Independent calls "the real world" where, according to its editorial, "the majority of voters support same-sex marriage." | The Express's "ordinary people" are different, however, from those who inhabit what The Independent calls "the real world" where, according to its editorial, "the majority of voters support same-sex marriage." |
| Moreover, despite what Eurosceptics may say about Britain being better off outside the EU, the paper believes the letter sent to it by business leaders suggests otherwise. | Moreover, despite what Eurosceptics may say about Britain being better off outside the EU, the paper believes the letter sent to it by business leaders suggests otherwise. |
| Despite approaching matters from a different political perspective, the Indy appears to agree with the Telegraph's Bale and the Express's Roycroft-Davis by concluding: | |
| "Not only is the Conservative Party splitting itself in two – it is leaving the electorate far behind." | "Not only is the Conservative Party splitting itself in two – it is leaving the electorate far behind." |
| And Steve Richards, writing (unusually) in The Guardian, appears to agree with them too. | And Steve Richards, writing (unusually) in The Guardian, appears to agree with them too. |
| "Tory activists," he writes, "have been subjected to a clunky, unsubtle 'modernisation' project in which social liberalism, while sincerely espoused, has been added on to the right-wing programme partly in an attempt to secure broader appeal." He continues: | "Tory activists," he writes, "have been subjected to a clunky, unsubtle 'modernisation' project in which social liberalism, while sincerely espoused, has been added on to the right-wing programme partly in an attempt to secure broader appeal." He continues: |
| "There has been little deep thinking from Cameron about what a modern Conservative party might be like, but rather a shallow effort to retain most of the thinking on Europe and the state that lost the Conservatives three successive elections, with the addition of support for gay marriage. | "There has been little deep thinking from Cameron about what a modern Conservative party might be like, but rather a shallow effort to retain most of the thinking on Europe and the state that lost the Conservatives three successive elections, with the addition of support for gay marriage. |
| The result is an unsatisfying, insubstantial clash between unreformed dwindling local parties and a leadership that acquired the top positions far too early in their careers with only half-formed ideas about what they wanted to change in relation to their party and the country." | The result is an unsatisfying, insubstantial clash between unreformed dwindling local parties and a leadership that acquired the top positions far too early in their careers with only half-formed ideas about what they wanted to change in relation to their party and the country." |
| Political crises come and go, of course, and with them go the memories of the articles by political journalists and leader writers who so often suggest that each crisis betrays a deep division of some sort or other. | Political crises come and go, of course, and with them go the memories of the articles by political journalists and leader writers who so often suggest that each crisis betrays a deep division of some sort or other. |
| This time around, I tend to think they are on the ball. Even though the Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire could be accused of over-stating his case by writing that "the prime minister stinks of defeat", his six-word summing up of the longer articles I've mentioned above does have the ring of truth. | This time around, I tend to think they are on the ball. Even though the Daily Mirror's Kevin Maguire could be accused of over-stating his case by writing that "the prime minister stinks of defeat", his six-word summing up of the longer articles I've mentioned above does have the ring of truth. |
| How Cameron must pray for the Argentinians to invade the Falklands once more. It saved Margaret Thatcher from likely electoral defeat. Then again, would he act as Thatcher did? Discuss. |