Today’s Telegraph carries a feature article by Nicholas Boles of the think-tank “Policy Exchange” He writes flatteringly of David Cameron but seriously distorts the situation.

His think tank is not the “impartial observer” he would suggest. Its list of trustees and recent speakers makes that clear. It includes the wife of Mr Cameron’s special adviser Mr Hilton, the ex-Editor of the Telegraph, Charles Moore, and its speakers are dominated by front bench Tories.

He then credits a number of changes in government policy to Mr Cameron, though the connection is hard to find for most of them (eg synthetic phonics in schools). He has hardly succeeded in showing voters that “he shares their views and values”, since during the last year polls have shown that all those Don’t-Knows who have since made up their minds have opted to oppose his stance.

The job of a leader is to lead and in respect of the failing NHS he has chosen to follow uninformed opinion rather than produce plans for radical reform. Mr Boles supports the decision not to allow more Grammar schools a decision that prevents the brightest children from the poorest families from escaping from their poverty and also devalues our educational standards overall.

Finally he applauds the idea that instead of leading with inspiring goals and policies Mr Cameron is right to play to the gallery by “starting from a position occupied by a majority of the British people” and then abdicating from his job of providing original policies. What a cynical viewpoint.

Christina