Where there is Tony, let us bring...

As Thatcher quoted St Francis, so Cameron quotes Gandhi; the Tories, he informs us, "must be the change [they] want to see in the world". This means that, from now on, every single member and supporter of the Conservative party must remember that, as with suicide bombers, "personal commitment is the most powerful way to bring about change".

In his New Year message to the disciples, which the Press Association tactfully describes as "optimistic", David Cameron assured them that his leadership has made it "an exciting time to be a Conservative", and that the party could "look forward to 2006 confident in our values, clear about our direction, and optimistic about the future". One wonders, in that case, why change should be necessary at all.

The reason, of course, is that by improving themselves they will improve others: "I want us to usher in a new type of politics in this country." On the other hand, "As the world is changing, so must we." The Conservatives will be able to usher in a new era of politics just as soon as the Conservatives are exactly like everyone else.

Inflexibility is not one of David Cameron's vices. The new type of politics David Cameron wants to usher in will be "constructive, thoughtful and open-minded". Nevertheless, thanks to the inspiration of David Cameron, the Conservatives are "becoming a party which is more like modern Britain, and which likes modern Britain more". Modern Britain is led by Tony Blair.