The Meaning of David Cameron

by Richard Seymour

David Cameron has been sold to the British electorate as a thoroughly modern politician, part Blair, part Thatcher, a one nation conservative with a soft spot for social democracy, the green movement, big and small business, youth, minorities, traditionalists, the armed forces and the old. Has a politician ever been sold as so many things to so many people, at home in fashion magazines as he is at Party conferences? But despite being told, arguably more, about Cameron the man than any other politician he remains vacuous, strangely unformed, a cipher for the real interests and forces he represents. The Meaning of Cameron is an unmasking of the false politics Cameron embodies, and an examination of the face the mask has eaten into.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Economics, Sociology, Biography

114 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2010

About the author

Northern Irish Marxist writer and broadcaster, activist and owner of the blog Lenin's Tomb.

Seymour is a former member of the Socialist Workers Party.

He is currently working on a PhD. in sociology.

Reviews

[John Rennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting analysis of the last 30 years of British Politics (from a Socialist perspective). As a lefty myself, I agreed with most of the dissection of Tory tactics and motivations that enabled them to stay in power through the 80s and return to power now. Unfortunately it was written just before the 2010 election so there is nothing on Cleggs miserable propping up of the latest neo-con government.
What Mr Seymour was able to say was how New Labour helped carry on the Thatcherite programme and lay the groundwork for Cameron to carry out his agenda.
What did (pleasantly) surprise me was how readable this book was, unlike many turgid political books I've attempted in the past.

[Charlotte Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

First two chapters seemed stronger and more compelling. A book arguably more about New Labour than David Cameron although to be expected from the publication date and similarities in political values. I think the arguments surrounding meritocracy were interesting and explanations were logical and mostly clear.

[Fionn McGorry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being over twelve years old some passages in this feel extremely relevant today

[Martyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is maybe a stretch to give this five stars, it is a slight book after all, but it is a very accessible, clear-language assessment of the evolution of the Tories from the mid-seventies toward running the Friedmanian nightmare that we find ourselves in today, and of "Dave's" place in it.

I've read a lot of political books and have never truly grasped the reasons behind Tory policy planning, yes we all know they stand for greed and selfishness but how exactly do they pull it off? Well Seymour gives a breathtaking three page summary near the start of this book that finally helped me to understand Tory economics in all its gory detail - that has to be worth five stars right?

Well, if not for that alone I give it five stars because Seymour rightly analyses not only the links between "Dave" and Thatcher (don't let the softly, softly approach fool you Cameron is a Thatcherite) but also the links between Blair and Thatcher, less obvious to some but unfortunately for the Labour Party, and Britain, Blair was also a Thatcherite. Seymour nails this concept with some vigor and I appreciate the clarity of thought.

If you want a quick read that gives some analysis of just where society really started to go wrong in the last 40 years or so, but one that gives you genuine insight, then I can't think of better book.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incisive glimpse into Cameronism. It's already a bit dated as the philosophy has developed, but if you want to gain a quick understanding of the man who is PM then this is a perfect primer.