David Cameron is absolutely right to avoid at all costs a confrontational tone in ministers’ approach to the coming showdown with the public sector unions.
David Cameron is absolutely right to avoid at all costs a confrontational tone in ministers’ approach to the coming showdown with the public sector unions. Our editor, Fraser Nelson (‘Strike and counterstrike’, 2 July), is absolutely right to insist that the Prime Minister and his Cabinet must not blink. But The Spectator’s and Mr Cameron’s approaches are entirely reconcilable. The bigger the stick you carry, the more softly you can speak.
Implicit in Fraser’s column is a linkage between Cabinet decrees that ministers should avoid aggressive language, and his suspicion that this presages a climbdown by government. Perhaps a serious U-turn is coming, but I should be surprised. There are other very potent reasons for a conciliatory tone, as I shall try to explain.
It is essential that the coalition government avoid looking like the side that wants to pick a fight.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in