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  1. Politics
8 April 2010

Cameron co-opts Gandhi

Election 2010: Guffwatch.

By Sophie Elmhirst

Dave’s up next, inevitably. There’s a lot to choose from, but let’s stay topical and look to today’s launch of National Citizen Service with Michael Caine. (On that point, Dave really should have worn a sign round his neck saying: “Hurrah! Bona fide film star!” What a step up from Carol Vorderman, though — the Tories must be thrilled . . . )

Anyway, there was a lovely, reflective moment as Cameron considered the principle of the project:

Gandhi put it beautifully, as he did so often: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Oh, Da-ave! You’ve already got Caine, do you really need to co-opt Gandhi, too? The “as he did so often” — so knowing, so wise — particularly grates.

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The other good bit was the effect the new plan would have on disaffected teens, giving them fire in their bellies, steel in their backbones, joy in their souls. I quite like the bellies and souls: solid, stirring stuff. But steel in their backbones? It sounds like a Victorian torture. Still, a good one to win back all those ex-army majors from Ukip.

So far in the Guff Wars, it’s 1-1 Brown-Cameron. (Clegg, don’t you worry. We’ll come to you soon.)

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