General Well-Being and Captain Bull-Shit

As pointed out at Harry's Place yesterday, the Chinless Wonder's latest contribution to the intellectual and political life of the nation is to say that Britain could be made a better place if only we asked businessmen to be nicer to their workers instead of imposing nasty regulations on companies.

Cameron's 'grand vision' here, suggesting the world would be a better place if people were nicer to one another, is predictably anodyne. Its banality, however, shouldn't disguise its true character as a restatement of the anti-regulation view, traditional in Tory circles. This view holds that business would operate far more smoothly if only they didn't have to worry about those pesky health, safety and employment laws.

It does seem a shame for Cameron's to adopt this approach especially when the Onion reports that even China is getting in on the regulation act...

Given an easy ride by the media on this issue, Cameron was able to portray this speech as a contribution to the work-life balance debate. Labour were right then to point out that, keen as Cameron was to take-up his own paternity leave, he had twice voted against the Employment Act 2002. This extended paid maternity leave, introduced paid paternity leave and allowed parents of young children to request flexible working.

Today's Guardian reports that Cameron also used the Google conference (...) to argue that:

"It's time we admitted that there's more to life than money, and it's time we focused not just on GDP but on GWB - General Wellbeing."

GWB, eh? Why come up with serious policies when you can have a silly acronym? Seriously though, it is nice to hear an Old Etonian being so magnanimous about the fundamentally unrewarding nature of wealth.

Job Centre Plus Staff Member: "I'm afraid there are no job vacancies this week"
Unemployed person: "That's okay. I've been elevated to the post of General Wellbeing."

Despite some critics levelling the charge that the Tories lack substance, Cameron's trade in vacuous bullshit is now expected to make way for a rash of policy statements. In a speech next week to the ippr, Cameron is likely outline his vision for a confident and vibrant Britain in the 21st century. The Conservative leader will argue that the key to personal well-being is to brush your teeth twice a day. In a startlingly innovative proposal to cut crime, Cameron will also recommend that householders deter potential burglars by leaving the hall lights on when they go out.

The new Conservative Party - modern, compassionate and full of shit.

(Pic: Twat on bike)