Creston shareholders approve sale of DLKW

He’s a Tory.  That explains everything.

Your writing style is a bit odd – stream of consciousness springs to mind as does the word “convoluted”…

Observations of a former “true blue”

Of all the points you raised, and the rhetorical questions posed, I believe the affirmative answer to “Is he fatally flawed?” is close to the truth.

So why is he CEO rather than his, more in-touch, rival at the time of his election (to party leader) – David Davis. The answer to that is in my view, in-built elitism (aka snobbery *) within the Conservative party.

As well as DC lacking judgement of people (your listing of those he has chosen to work with is ample proof of that) there are also many examples of his just not being able to relate. So we get meaningless phrases like ‘we are all in this together’ to which the electorate rightly and pretty obviously reply ‘no we are not’. He just doesn’t understand ‘people’ – but then how can he for he has had no regular contact with ‘real’ people either inside or outside politics without which critical decisions are inevitably compromised.

And then ‘big society’ – where did that come from? Probably a focus group who are similarly ‘out-of-touch’ and from the same infected waters.

The poisoned chalice (almost winning in May of 2010) called for another Reagan – sadly such a figure is not on the political stage. So we shall continue to decline until the non-political (non-tribal) leaders are not only listened to but their advice headed. Before that point is reached I regret the nation will suffer a severe reduction in living standards with increasing levels of anger and actions (that will achieve nothing) by the usual suspects.

Leadership is, in part, about listening and also about being seen to respond – be they voters or employees. Not always giving in (aka making u-turns) but explaining when that which was requested is not the ‘wise’ course of action. And yes, you are right again Hugh, listening does require humility – again sadly missing despite the words used (provided by speech writers).

If I draw parallels with the corporate (real) world then the most successful organisations are those that have leaders who emphasise purpose, values, humility and ethics, inspiring people to raise their performance. Can these positive virtues be applied to a nation? Yes for sure but only by leadership of the highest order – whoever and wherever you are please step forward.

Finally a female perception of DC who, from the time of Cameron’s emergence as a possible (party) leader, referred to him as a chocolate teapot. Looks good but not fit for purpose. Simplistic but pretty near the mark I think.

* The definition of snob eloquently described by Sebastian Faulks regarding ‘Emma’ is so
applicable to both the subject of your item (DC) and his coterie.

For the record, here is an article, headed ‘Why the Prime Minister doesn’t understand the middle classes’, by Dominic Lawson in the Daily Mail dated 19 October 2011: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2050665/Prime-Minister-David-Cameron-doesnt-understand-middle-classes.html

I agree Chris, so many brands have been missing the obvious. I think many are still stuck in Thatchers era of “greed is good”. Now it’s ‘green is good’.
I did actually sit through a lecture at college from a wacky professor trying to explaining how ad folk hide subliminal messages in ads. It’s what got me interested in advertising. 
Still trying to put hidden images of naked women into my clients ads, but not found a relevant reason yet.