Tough decisions? Strong leadership? Intellect? Last time i checked we were still in the EPP, Caroline Jackson is still lambasting Cameron for something that hasn't happened and our leader decided it was strategic to attack a small party that picks votes from us like sniper fire instead of labour, the government he's meant to oppose! Maude couldn't get any more rose tinted, or does he just take polling numbers from Islington? Which begs the question, why isn't Francis Maude party chairman - of the labour party?

"Something tells me that Mr Aker supports UKIP" Not a very shrewd observation. Not a correct one either.

"Our poll ratings are drifting steadily downwards. That implies that the strategy which the leadership is pursuing isn't working." Exactly, the bounce is over and Cameron has to seize the initiative again - but this time with Conservative policies, not bicycle rides and tie-less press interviews.

"Come clean - this whole EPP issue is a smokescreen for getting Britain so sidelined that withdrawal from the EU itself is inevitable outcome." I don't see any problems with this. The EU's destination is 'ever closer union', which means union in everything, politics, economics, constitutions - everything political. The more honest we are that we don't want a part of it, the better.

Can we assume the financial appeal won't be requesting loans???

It's a shame Flack didn't win. Something tells me the party needs an Essex man on the board, to neutralise all this soft Notting Hill nonsense in the party

MacPherson destroyed police morale and Cameron needs to stand firm against the political liberalisation of the police force. But, given his touchy-feelyness and his posturing to the liberal elites, i don't hold out much hope.

As it's my first post here, id like to say this is a brilliant site, and i hope to post here more often. On the topic of the Telegraph, does anyone remember their own statement of principles from a leader a few months ago: "We are a national party. We wish to preserve the traditions of our country and extend freedom and opportunity to everyone in Britain. We believe taxation should be significantly reduced. We believe marriage should be actively promoted, via the tax code, as the best context for the bringing up of children. We believe parents and patients should be entitled to gain access to the school or hospital of their choice. We believe these schools and hospitals should be independent institutions once again. We believe police forces should be accountable to individuals directly elected by their local community. We believe locally run services should as far as possible be locally financed. "We believe social security should be reformed to promote personal responsibility and neighbourliness, so the 'welfare state' becomes the 'welfare society', underpinned by devolved and voluntary organisations. WE BELIEVE BRITAIN'S PARLIAMENT SHOULD BE SOVEREIGN. And we believe our armed forces should be properly equipped to fight terrorism and dictatorship, and that free trade and property rights should be promoted across the globe." - Daily Telegraph leader, Wednesday May 25th 2005 The bold is my edit, as im staunchly for EU withdrawal. But the above is what should constitute a modern conservative platform - not running back to the post war consensus as Cameron seems to be doing. Moreover, his commitment to the EPP withdrawal - which got me to vote for him - i find a bit daft as on the libdems for cameron site, he says he wants Britain to be a positive member of the EU, the constitution of which (Treaty of Rome) calls for ever closer union. He's saying one thing to the eurosceptic lobby and another to the beard 'n' sandals brigade he wants to hoodwink into the party. Same on tax, and now on public services. The only good thing to come out of Cameron's leadership so far are the poll ratings. Everything else seems muddled and confused, directionless and policy-lite. Maybe his advisors are mistaking the post-election bubble for actual enthusiasm for 'change'???