ConHome offers George bad advice

ConservativeHome, as part of its Agenda 2008 programme, has called on the Shadow Chancellor not to renew the opposition's pledge to match the government's spending proposals through 2010/2011. They write:

Last September George Osborne signed up to Labour's spending plans until 2010/11. That decision is unpopular amongst Tory members. Our monthly polling of the Conservative grassroots shows that they oppose the pledge by 64% to 24%. It's vital that Mr Osborne's pledge is not renewed as we get closer to a 2009 or 2010 General Election. George Osborne needs to allow himself more room to cut borrowing and/ or introduce economy-reviving tax relief.

Osborne (and Cameron) can follow this advice at their own peril. As Westmonster has been trying to point out recently, the Conservatives have been working very hard to reassure voters they're a legitimate party of government. The present government's formidable troubles notwithstanding, the case Davy & friends are trying to make is not a slam-dunk. If appealing to the Tory grassroots were all that mattered in winning elections, we'd be entering our 29th consecutive year of Conservative government .

With the polls where they are, it's no surprise the Tory base smells blood. The natural instinct in that position is to overreach. But, shrewdly, the Conservative leadership have been making a public spectacle of their softer edge, highlighting areas where there is common ground with the current government, and pointing out subtle changes they would make. A return to Thatcherist (or, worse, Bushist) economic policy is not a key platform plank, and with good reason — it would scare off voters who are seriously evaluating the party's suitability for government for the first time in over a decade.

A move to rein in spending may happen if and when the Conservatives are in government. For the time being, however, the Shadow Chancellor is wise to continue his commitment to maintain spending levels.