Cameron driving forward

The Conservatives' latest ad strikes the right note; as long as they can keep their nerve and not rise to the provocations, they'll be comfortably back in power by 2010. The ad appeals to the masses on taxes and the NHS, without alienating the wealthy. And admitting that little issue with the ERM? A masterstroke.

Yesterday, Cameron showed his tactical focus: painting Gordon Brown as an old fart (since it's Brown he'll be facing at the next election) while letting it be known he thinks Tony Blair is an OK bloke. If he can avoid peaking too early, he's on course to beat PM Brown in a couple of years, and kick New Labour back into the wilderness. The plan has got off to a good start.