David Cameron to Ed Miliband: Come and have a go, if you think you’re hard enough – Spectator Blogs

For months now, David Cameron and his government have been pursued around the ring. Chased by Labour and harassed by events they have often been caught on the ropes. Off-balance and out of position Cameron has struggled to respond to Labour’s jabs. No wonder he’s behind on points.

The Prime Minister’s speech to the Conservative party conference this morning was a counter-attack. Cameron has had enough of running; now he means to stand in the centre of the ring and trade blows with the opposition. It will be a rare old tear-up.

Those who say this was a speech delivered to his party, not his country are, I think, mistaken. This was Cameron’s clearest declaration of principle in years. A pugilistic defence of his ideas and his politics. This, he said, is the kind of Conservative I am and the brand of conservatism in which I believe. Let’s see if you’re strong enough to defeat it.