People keep sending me memo’s from Downing Street…*
To Gordon
From: Stephen
Pre Conference Run in
As you asked we’ve been looking at how to handle some of the froth that will sourround the polcy meat of economic policy announcements in the run up to Conference.
We judge there will be three main issues raised alongside the substantive policy questions. These are leadership questions and personal popularity and style questions. Handling these softer topics in the right way will ensure both better coverage for the policy meat and fewer “noises off” during a crucial time.
Our comms team felt that it was clear on the Beijing trip that we needed to get a rounded response on these personal/political stories. These sort of stories will bubble around at least up until conference.
If we get these answers pitched right, they will serve to enhance and underline your focus on the substantive issues.If we stick to current lines, judgement is that journalists will look for quotes and lines elsewhere. The question isn’t whether these stories move, it’s whether we move it for our purposes or other people do so for theirs. (tories/journalists/discontented ex-ministers).
You asked the team to come up with some possible responses to achieve these goals.
In discussion it was felt the best way to approach the issue would be humourous, supportive and sympathetic to others aspirations. There’s nothing to be gained by pretending others aren’t ambitious, but at the same time, we need to remind people that you are the Prime Minister, and are focussed on the needs of the UK not short term politics.
With that in mind here’s a potential draft set of responses. Let me know what you think.
Q. Leadership speculation
It comes with the territory, but it’s not my real concern. This is a serious time and we need to make the right decisions for the future of the country. So I’m not thinking about my job, I’m working to make sure other people keep theirs.
That’s why we’re announcing…..
Q: People trying to take your job?
A: “I’d be upset if the best people in the party didn’t want my job!
“Look, I spent ten years as a sort of political heir apparent, and it’s not easy. You have to be totally loyal, but if you are, you get accused of not being one hundred per cent yourself. Whatever you do, someone’s going to claim you’re doing something wrong. So I understand the pressures and how these things can blow up.
But since becoming PM, I’ve seen that people don’t really care about gossip, they care care about content. and on that score David’s said some really valuable things, as have other ministers like Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and John Denham. We need that sort of healthy, open debate about.
“What they’re all doing is try to set out ideas for the future and ways to focus our attack on the Tories.
I agree wholeheartedly with what many people have said about the importance of policy and of stressing what seperates us from Cameron’s Tory party.
We need to help people who are dealing with higher energy prices. We need to help people get on the housing ladder in the best way for them, we need to focus on cutting knife crime, secure a healthy, low carbon energy supply and we need make sure that we keep inflation low and employment high.
Those ae my priorities, the governments priorities, and the essential challenges for the country. so that’s what we’re all focussed on.
Q: Unpopular?
Is it nice to be popular? Sure.
Is it more important to be popular than right? Not in this job.
I can do two things as Prime Minister. First, can try and be popular, try to please everyone, be all things to all men.
I’m occassionally tempted by that option, I have to admit! But while it might be a great strategy for a leader of the opposition, it’s not what yu need to do in government.
Instead we’re announcing detailed, thought through decisions that will really make a difference. They might not boost me in the polls or get fantastic coverage in the press, but they’ll make Britain a better, stronger, fairer place to live and work.That’s what I care about most.
Q Dithering?
You can’t please everyone, A couple of years ago, the Tories were complaining of intitiativeitis and infomal government and advocating careful study and long term decisions. Now the opposition says consultation is indecision. well, hold on. if we didn’t consult we’d be rushing into things, if we do consult we’re dithering. It’s just political name calling. Kids stuff.
So it’s time to roll up our sleeves and to get to work. All of us.
This is a fake and not real. Journalists, please take note. I really do have to ad this disclaimer. Three journalists emailed/phoned me about the last spoof memo I drafted. August is slow news, eh?
1 Comment
August 29, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Nice. What with all the sniping about Brown’s mental state, maybe he could try this:
Q. Crazy?
Well, you don’t have to be mad to work here, as they say, but you do have to be very focused and have a clear sense of priorities. So I’m not going to get distracted by these sorts of silly little pot-shots. Let the commentators have their fun – I’m getting on with the job.
(or)
Yes, I am crazy – about improving educational opportunities! That’s why we’re announcing…