There can be no doubting the brilliance of William Hague.  A gifted orator, (take a look at this posting HERE), a man with principles, a quick thinker on his feet, and most importantly, in an age when we most need it….a politician with charisma.

But where is he?  Why is he not in the spotlight fighting Gordon Brown?  We need one of our strongest assets on the frontline in the media.

We can only hope that Cameron is holding him back ready for the General Election campaign to unleash against the Labour spin machine…..

Last night I attended the Summer Reception of Conservative Way Forward, (the pressure group/think tank that was founded in 1991 to defend and build upon the achievements of the Conservative Party under the leadership of Lady Thatcher, and to adapt the principles of her era in government to modern concerns and challenges).  It was a great event held at the Institute of Civil Engineers.  Last night William Hague was the host and guest speaker.

As ever Hague was in fine form.  It is fascinating to watch Hague work a room.  He quietly moves from group to group, engaging in conversation, giving his full attention, never breaking eye contact or looking around him or checking his watch.  He gives the group he is with 100% Hague.  Hague is a highly intelligent man and combined with his superb wit, makes him engaging in conversation.  Hague and I had an enjoyable conversation on oratory, Harriet Harman, economic mess, Norwich By-Election and his beautiful Constituency Richmond in Yorkshire.  Suffice to say Hague was a huge hit with the audience last night. 

Hague’s talk was, as you would expect, mixed with side splitting humour and a deadly perception into current affairs, covering usual subjects including, the devastating economic inheritance that Brown will bequeath the next Parliament, foreign affairs, by elections over the years and anyone who knows Hague knows that he always quotes his heroe William Pitt.  Hague oratory at its best.

John Whittingdale harnessed the feeling of the audience when he summed up after Hague’s bravado speech when he called William ‘the finest orator in the Conservative Party’.  That is so true.  I would go one stage further and say that he is the finest orator in British politics today.  (Some may questions whether Tony Blair is the stronger orator but he is no longer a front line UK politician…and Blair was on so many occasions outclassed and outspoken by Hague in their regular interchanges over the Dispatch Box). 

Interesting when working the crowd last night, there was a strong amount of agreement that there are few characters in the Conservative Party that people would happily pay to go and hear speak and of course look forward to it.  Reflecting on that, the Party is indeed crying out for those orators who can capture and engage people through the power of the spoken word.  Hague is without doubt our finest speaker, followed by Cameron.  After that, interestingly people were divided last night.  Hannan’s name came up a number of times.  Osborne was seen as an effective Shadow Chancellor by all but lacking as an engaging orator.  Hopefully, more engaging orators will be entering the House amongst our PPC’s.

Back to Hague.  Early on in this blog, I posted a blog on the finest orators: http://tiny.cc/akx5d  On reflection, Hague is fast entering into this list.  Hague has been a strong projection orator ever since his speech to the Conservative Party Conference when he gained a standing audience at the age of 16.  Thatcher was impressed…..

So what evidence of outstanding oratory?  I thought I would remind of some great recent speeches and exchanges over the dispatch box:

This is Hague reducing the House to stiches, (even David Miliband), over President Blair of the EU….sheer class….:

Hague v Harman…just savage humour cutting the hapless Harman down to shreds:

Michael Portillo interviews William Hague: Fascinating insight into Hague winning the Tory Leadership:

William Hague questioned on BBC Newsnight: Insight into using humour to attack Blair

Hague Launches the Conservative European Manifesto: (Parts 1 & 2)

William on the next election and his political future:

Dissolution of Parliament Debate on 10th June 2009 (3 Part) :

Keep up the great work William.  You are an inspiration to the grassroots and finest orator in UK Politics today.

I must confess that George Osborne is an impressive political operator.  Again, in the House of Commons, with little preparation, (as Chancellor Darling only gave him Statement Details 20 mins before he stood up to make it), Osborne tore through Darling’s empty rhetoric and tired old promises as darling sought to reform the Banking System that Brown had messed up years before.  Obviously George is a close friend with David Cameron, hence this suggestion makes even more sense to beef up George’s portfolio.  Maybe now is the time that DC should initiate a Shadow Cabinet reshuffle ready for the next election…..the summer recess is the perfect time….ready for the new Leaders to master their briefs before the election campaign starts in earnest……

George Osborne is a strong Shadow Chancellor but he himself admits his role and capabilities are far wider.  Therefore, it makes sense to move George into a more wide ranging remit rather than just purely economic affairs.  TBB would suggest to DC making George his Deputy Leader and place him at the helm of the Conservatives as Party Chairman, hence enjoying a pivotal role and free ranging remit in the election campaign.  Osborne would be a great media friendly Deputy Leader and Party Chairman.  It would be great to see him on our screens.

So, who for Chancellor?  TBB would suggest that William Hague moves into the role of Shadow Chancellor.  Again, a born communicator in a vital area for the Conservatives.  He would be welcomed by the City and is a huge credible operator.  Given the enormity of turning the economy round, William would be equal to the task and could take the tough decisions and yet command the respect of the British public.

So what for Eric Pickles?  Eric strikes TBB as great material for a Home Secretary.  No bullshit guy who would take no nonsense and get to grips with the rising crime levels across the UK, get the police focused on solving crime and not filling in paperwork or chasing speeding cars for fines and of course, sorting out the overcrowding in the prisons population.

So Chris Grayling has proved himself well in the Shadow Home Secretary role.  He has credibility.  Class.  Intelligence and commands respect and would make a fine Foreign secretary.

So recap:   David Cameron Leader; George Osborne Deputy Leader & Party Chairman; William Hague Shadow Chancellor; Chris Grayling Shadow Foreign Secretary; Eric Pickles Shadow Home Secretary

This could be a good start to a reshuffle ready to fight the next election….is this a winning team…views?

Turning my attention away from the Ashes, I tuned in to listen to PMQ’s.  Harriet Harman was standing in for Gordon Brown as he is away today.  I should have stayed with the Ashes.

PMQ’s was truly poor today…..no…worse than poor…..shockingly poor, a national disgrace.  William Hague turned the debate back on to public spending and Harriet Harman…not once answered any question.  Why does Speaker Bercow not act?  He speaks tough but acts like a timid schoolboy….more wind & huff & puff than action.  Anyone watching PMQ’s today would have been horrified at it’s irrelevance to everyday life.  So much so, after watching for several weeks, I despair at this 30 mins of executive Scrutiny.  let’s be honest, there is no questioning of the Prime Minister or Deputy.  PMQ’s has become a sham, a pantomime of planted questions and stage managed answers.  Don’t fancy answering a question, just shout out any old answer, that’s fine.  Quite disgraceful.

As people lose their jobs, struggle on declining salaries, fight to pay mortgages, they have the right for our politicians to give real answer not this masquerade ball.  Harman today avoided all talk on spending figures, both capital and total…and just ranted about saving hospitals and schools.  Is this what modern politics has become?

Speaker Bercow should be ashamed of presiding over a session of meaningless banter.  The great people of our country deserve answers, until the Speaker gets teeth to ensure Ministers address answers and add value, we will continue to see this dreadful B movie on Wednesday lunchtimes.

And yes…I remain unimpressed with Bercow…he talks, he threatens…where’s the meat?