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Nick Robinson
Political editor
David Cameron to focus on 'what really matters'
David Cameron will attempt to shrug off recent controversies
The Big Picture.
That's what Tony Blair used to say the media should focus on when asked about all the things that were going wrong for his government.
Expect David Cameron to express the same sentiment - if not to use the same language - at his conference this week.
This afternoon William Hague spoke of the "great test of this generation" in a speech which was much more serious than the one his party's grown used to on the opening day of their conference.
What he meant by those words was the simultaneous challenges of tackling the deficit whilst preparing the country to face the growing competition posed by the world's new fast-growing economies.
The Tories' claim will be that George Osborne's deficit reduction programme, Michael Gove's education reforms and Iain Duncan Smith's re-shaping of the welfare state are doing just that.
When asked about pasty taxes or plebs or rail franchises the prime minister will insist that what really matters is the government's big reforms and not the day-to-day cock-ups.
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Comment number 359.
LandOfTheMushroomPeople9th October 2012 - 0:19
What MATTERS is his rich pals
The workers can go whistle
Roll on the Independence vote and a Tory free future
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Comment number 358.
James8th October 2012 - 23:40
Just listened to Gideon's speech and my blood is boiling...
As far as I can see, all he has done is cut taxes for the rich while hammering the poor into oblivion.
And by looking at their faces, I suspect even the Tories own supporters are starting to feel uncomfortable with this bunch of self serving, silver spooned toffs playing at politics.
PS - Pay your taxes George.
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Comment number 357.
Idont Believeit8th October 2012 - 23:24
Menin 351
On a roll tonight! Take a pinch of snuff at 323 and your ' just keep it simple, adapt to changing circumstances and be competent.' and things might improve.
Bit cheeky of George to treat us to a bit of what I'll do as Chancellor AFTER the next election? Whistling in the dark? Or is it what will probably happen anyway no matter who gets elected?
Having a bit of a 'black dog' day.
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Comment number 356.
Up2snuff8th October 2012 - 22:37
Night night, one and all.
A better day tomorrow!
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Comment number 355.
Up2snuff8th October 2012 - 22:18
@349 AD
Agreed but not hard for pols to go out & do micro&sub-micro econo research for themselves. F.Field does it! ConHome guy reported last night that Tory bk-benchers are complaining about not being listened to!
But it beggars belief when Cable tells RoyMail it's OK to ramp up charges but then another Min starts to talk about another benefit sub for pensioners at Xmas! Joined-up thinking?
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Comments 5 of 359