Cameron and Osborne - Perfect Partners in Delivery

Like an effective version of Blair and Brown, Cameron and Osborne’s partnership has been the dominant force within the Conservative party for almost a decade. The smooth and effective operation of this partnership at the very top of government is not adequately commented upon. In contrast to the Labour years, it is remarkable. It has helped bring a rigour and competence to government that helped the coalition not just survive but operate effectively, and should ensure a clear focus on delivery over the coming five years.

What drives the two men?

Despite some obvious similarities in back-ground, the two men are by no means replicas of each other. Osborne has a stronger streak of social liberalism in his blood, albeit one combined with a fine, instinctive grasp of public opinion on issues such as welfare and law and order. Osborne also has a touch of economic and free market radicalism that sets him apart from the more centrist Cameron, rooted firmly in the long traditions of one-nation conservatism for all the early focus on his modernising. Osborne is the über tactician, constantly planning and thinking, whereas Cameron’s defining characteristic has at times seemed to be insouciance.

So just as with Blair and Brown, the men differ. But unlike their predecessors, they continue to work together effectively. What serious row or disagreement can one point to that has arisen between the current occupants of No.10 and 11 Downing Street? Nothing of material significance. That this is the case is extraordinary given the pressures of office and given the track records of their predecessors (of both parties).

Both are focused on delivery, and will continue to be. Osborne’s first year as Chancellor was indicative. He carefully delivered a number of core priorities. Creating the Office for Budget Responsibility, establishing the trust of the global markets through immediate and then further in-year spending cuts. A Spending Review following a clear and transparent process. Cameron’s style may be more messy - see NHS reforms, forest selloffs and others. But in his own way, he too has focused on ticking off manifesto commitments. Having learnt from the lackadaisical failures of Blair’s first term, Cameron now presides over a majority having managed under a coalition to execute promised health, education, justice and civil service reforms amongst other 2010 manifesto commitments.

With a majority, the focus of the two men will now be on relentless delivery – cementing fiscal probity and economic discipline, and implementation of the party’s manifesto.

Allies

This focus on getting things done is reflected in the people closest to both men. Despite perennial quibbles about the qualities of Cameron’s team in particular, both men now have high quality aides and allies around them. Osborne is perhaps the more notable of the two for having cultivated a number of close allies, now in positions of real power in government – Sajid Javid at BIS, Amber Rudd at DECC, Greg Clark at DCLG, Matt Hancock as Paymaster General, and more. But again, while Gordon Brown famously built a praetorian guard of allies dedicated purely to winning and then protecting the top job, Osborne’s allies are rather more focused on delivering in government. Indeed, Javid increasingly looks like one of the largest threats to Osborne’s future prospects as party leader and PM.

The future

When Cameron announced that he would not stand for a third term, the consensus of the commentariat was that it was an unforced error that would diminish any authority he had left with the party. This has hardly come to pass – Cameron has never been more authoritative than he is now. But it does mean the leadership question is open. Does Osborne want to be PM? Certainly. But he is not consumed with longing for the role. With time he appears to have become more conscious of the challenges of Cameron’s role. Osborne will focus on entrenching fiscal and economic stability, and the Northern Powerhouse, a fine legacy whether he eventually occupies 10 Downing Street or not.

This article was originally published on the Westminster Advisers blog.