Archive for June, 2011
George McGregor’s article in PR Week
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
Whether he’s flipping burgers with Obama or ordering bombings in Libya, David Cameron continues to walk on water as far as the 
British press are concerned.
But some in his Cabinet are starting to flounder with the list of colleagues getting the wrong sort of headlines growing each week.
Only the Chancellor has been surefooted, winning a reputation as a man with a plan. Meanwhile Nick Clegg’s credibility has drained since the AV referendum and tuition fees debacles, and his ill thought out initiatives such as ‘alarm clock Britain’ and ‘muscular liberalism’ haven’t helped.
Experience tells us that political luck never lasts forever. While the PM basks in the glow of Obamamania he should consider, carefully, six key points to get the Coalition back on track:
- Stay focussed on the deficit. It’s why you were elected and it’s the only area the Coalition displays common purpose.
- Risk a reshuffle and give Nick Clegg a big spending department, perhaps Health. He is adrift with the constitutional affairs brief. His political vulnerability is your political vulnerability.
- Don’t bend at the first sign of trouble; your Government is getting a reputation for u-turns from sentencing to coastguards to forestry.
- Prepare the ground for any difficult decisions – communicate a problem clearly and consistently and only then present the solution.
- Ditch the Big Society. It’s well intended but nebulous and reminds people that beyond the deficit they don’t really know what you stand for. Your Government needs a narrative.
- Finally, sort out No.10. The balance between political and policy advisers seems to oscillate between the extremes.
George McGregor is Managing Director of Interel Consulting
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