Not a lot is the short answer. Many commentators argue that the speech failed to match
the gravity of this moment in time; that it was safe; that it was not prime ministerial.
Steve Richards believes that Cameron was timid, choosing to reassure rather than challenge. He writes:
‘Yesterday in his address David Cameron did Ed Miliband an unlikely favour. He made Miliband’s seem deeper and substantial. The Labour leader’s address last week was poorly structured and delivered, yet compared with Cameron’s it had an argument and was at least an attempt to address the scale of tumultuous change sweeping across Britain. In contrast Cameron’s speech was a giddying guided tour around his favourite themes, without much sense of where he was taking us next or why.’
Even some of Cameron’s admirers were left bemused. Max Hastings writes
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
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