Cameron models liberal agenda on Schwarzenegger’s California.
(Article extracted from The Guardian Weekly, published on October 19th, 2007)
Summary
1. According to the document, why is the Conservative Party so successful?
According to Cameron (In Cameron’s view), the success of the Conservative Party can neither be explained by the measures which the party defends such as the promise (the pledge) to reduce inheritance tax, nor by the waning fortunes of the Labour Party but by the efforts which have been made to modernise (to update) the party.
Rather, if D. Cameron is to be believed, much of the Tories’ success is due to his own efforts to discard old style Tory attitudes and policies and to reposition the party in the centre ground of politics. Indeed, Cameron strives (does his utmost) to project a new image of the party and to promote centrist policies. Cameron goes as far as to claim that his party is the only one in Britain able to address the issue of poverty.
Vocabulary:
A true blue Tory
A party diehard / A party hardliner
A left-wing party / A centrist party / a right-wing party
An issue / a burning issue
To tackle an issue / to address an issue
To make an effort
To strive to do something / to endeavour to do something / to do one’s best / to do one’s utmost
Structure
Neither (…) … nor (…)
Either (…) … or (…)
To be able to do something ≠ to be unable to so something
2. Why does Cameron like to compare himself to California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger?
Cameron enjoys being likened to California’s governor, as the latter is very good at making compromises.
Cameron claims he shares the same skills as Schwarzenegger.
Contrary to Margaret Thatcher, Cameron portrays himself as a “compassionate conservative”, who believes in a free-market approach but also cares much about poverty.
Thatcher had been nicknamed the “Iron Lady” after a speech delivered in 1976 in which she condemned communism. In spite of massive demonstrations due to the closing of several mines she did not budge. On the contrary, Cameron would like to give a more “compassionate” image of the Tories.
Unlike Margaret Thatcher…, D. Cameron wishes to give a more centrist image of his party.
Unlike Margaret Thatcher…, D. Cameron wishes to give a more centrist image of his party.
Whereas M. Thatcher seemed more concerned about modernising the economy at all costs, Cameron is putting an emphasis on both modernising the economy and fighting poverty.
He argues that business and environmentalism are not incompatible.
However, despite Cameron’s efforts to rejuvenate the image of his party one may remark that his position towards Europe is marked by strong “Euroscepticism” which is in keeping with the traditional party line (/which reflects old Tory positions).
Comparison:
To be likened to someone / to be compared to someone
He is comparable to (…)
-When referring to 2 elements. To avoid repeating the names of each of the protagonists, you may use: the former / the latter
- NB: “In spite of something” but “despite something” (+ no preposition)
3. What is Cameron’s understanding of politics?
Cameron does not care much for the political divisions between right and left.
He prefers to focus on the efficiency of the reforms which are to be implemented.
He is not worried by the fact that the Labour Party implemented a traditional conservative measure.
He is fond of saying that the main thing is to do “what’s right”. In this respect, his “motto” reminds one of Blair’s famous sound-bite (/ catchphrase): “What matters is what works”.
Vocabulary:
To remember / to recall: se souvenir.
To remind someone to do something: rappeler à quelqu’un de faire quelque chose.
To remind someone of something
To remember + V-ing: when you refer to something in the past (which has already happened).
Ex: Bill says he doesn’t have the keys. He says he remembers giving them to Alison this morning.
To remember+ infinitive: when you refer to the future.
Ex: Bill has to remember to give the keys back to Alison.
