David Cameron (1) (1966–)

Decent, responsible, fair. All admirable, but the qualities that characterize David Cameron also have the effect of making his memoir an unexciting read. Still, it’s good to be reminded of a time, not so long ago (and despite the more recent harm to Cameron’s reputation) when Britain had a calm, sensible leader with good judgement. His success in detoxifying a tainted party (the Conservatives during the Blair years) has had the common fate of successful transformations, that we quickly adapt to the new reality and so forget how much credit is due. His account here of the years in government is comprehensive and readable, but perhaps a greater gap in time might have encouraged less effort in self-justifying, particularly on specific issues or angles of criticism that already feel passé. Yes we know the “bedroom tax” was not a tax. Yes, “austerity” was more slogan or mindset than policy. And yes too, an EU referendum was probably on the cards. As for the muddy or failed issues from his record - Syria, the EU renegotiation, looking two ways on Leveson - these are not really put to bed here: the book revisits all the details but what’s mostly lacking, as it was at the time, is clarity on the outcomes, or on how to get there.… (more)

No, I did not forget to rate this book: I gave it exactly the number of stars that it deserves, in my opinion.

Is this bellicose attitude down to the fact that David Cameron is the leader of the Conservative party, and I am but a humble member of the Labour party? No. It is not David Cameron that has me foaming at the mouth as I attempt to read this pile of bilge: it is Dylan Jones. Mr Jones must have swallowed a considerable chunk of whatever the Welsh version of the Blarney stone might be; his questions are frequently longer than Cameron's answers and, despite telling the reader, in an over-long introduction - to Dylan Jones, that he is not "particularly of the conservative persuasion", whatever that means, he bowls gentle underarm full tosses to David Cameron and then, leads the cheering when the ball is swept to the boundary. Jones' bias is so obvious that the Pakistani cricket team would decline his services as too blatant.

I genuinely feel that this was a wasted opportunity. Jones had the chance to speak to David Cameron on a regular basis for a whole year and yet, this book tells me much more about Mr Jones than about the man who has now become Prime Minister. The only good news is that I purchased it from a book remainder shop for the princely sum of £2 so, I did not waste too much money (only about £1.99, or possibly a penny more).… (more)