The Spectator’s Notes | 3 October 2009

For years, I kept Labour’s shortest version of its 1997 ‘pledge card’.

For years, I kept Labour’s shortest version of its 1997 ‘pledge card’. On one side, in red, were the party’s key pledges and a photograph of Tony Blair beside which it said, ‘strong’ (Daily Telegraph). The other side was blue, stated the main shortcomings of the Tories and carried a picture of John Major beside which it said ‘weak’ (Daily Telegraph). Sadly, I have now lost the card, and have forgotten what the famous pledges were. A colleague recently asked me if the Conservatives, now approaching New Labour’s winning position in 1997, were to produce their own pledge card at their conference next week, what it would say. I could not think of any answers at all. Is this because of a disgraceful evasion by a party which lays claim to government? Or is it an entirely reasonable refusal to be tied to silly promises which circumstances could nullify?

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