Clive Davis: TRANSATLANTIC VOICES 5: DANIEL FINKELSTEIN

Politico turned pundit, Daniel Finkelstein probably knows more about the inner workings of the Conservative Party than any journalist of his generation. As chief advisor to then Tory leader, William Hague, he spent much of the 1990s trying to formulate a response to the irresistible rise of New Labour.

An LSE graduate and grandson of the founder of the Wiener Library, Daniel trained as a computer systems analyst. He began his political career on the centre-left, standing as an SDP candidate in the 1987 elections. He went on to become director of the Social Market Foundation, and later served as head of the Policy Unit at Conservative Central Office. He is now Comment Editor editor of The Times. (His true-blue tastes extend to being a supporter of Chelsea FC. He also writes a stats-based football stats column, Fink Tank.)

We did the interview by e-mail. As usual, I've added links where appropriate.

Q - Americans tend to think of Britain as a steadfast ally. Do they underestimate the level of anti-US sentiment in this country?

Americans are right to think of this country as a staunch ally, as right as we are to be grateful for the sacrifices Americans have made to protect our freedom over the last century. However, I have never felt as gloomy about public support for the transatlantic relationship as I do now.

I think Robert Kagan's explanation of the difference between European and American views of the world was brilliant - that, having no hammer, Europe views every problem as being made worse by using a hammer. So a gap between the US and Europe will continue under any President because it is a gap in worldviews not just gap in perceptions of George Bush. Another president might reduce (not eliminate) the gap, but only by pursuing a less assertive foreign policy, which would not, as far as I am concerned, be desirable.

Q- How serious a threat are the so-called "Michael Moore conservatives"?

Liberal interventionists, who are keen to argue that the left are the people who should be fighting Islamofascism (an honourable position), always make a meal of the way the Conservatives distanced themselves from Tony Blair after the war in Iraq. Yet while I agree this was a mistake, the Tory record on the war was actually pretty good. If it had not been for the Conservatives, Tony Blair would have lost the critical vote in the House and been forced to resign. So this was a big sacrifice, and Iain Duncan Smith can take the credit for it.

With David Cameron's election, George Osborne's place at the top table and the return of William Hague, the party's support for the Bush doctrine has, I believe, been secured. There are serious Conservatives who are foreign policy pessimists but they remain in the minority.

Q - What was the biggest mistake the Tories made during your time at Smith Square?

In 1997, to create a formula on membership of the single currency that the party would not wear and which even Ken Clarke, who insisted on it, now accepts was unnecessary. There were others, of course, but that was the worst.

Q - Are the toffs about to seize control of the Opposition benches?

I don't spend long thinking about it, to be honest. I come from an immigrant background, which perhaps makes me less class-obsessed than the average Brit. Ironically, I think that the so-called toff leadership will put the Tory party back in touch with the middle class - its core vote.

Q - But do David Cameron and George Osborne really have the muscle to cope with twin bruisers, Gordon Brown and Charles Clarke?

We'll see. Although I think Gordon Brown is flawed and Charles Clarke is over-rated, they remain formidable, and the new Tory leadership lacks experience. I must say that while I love, love, love this blog I thought your strong support for Davis over Cameron was absolutely bizarre. I just used to stare open-mouthed at the postings! It seems stunningly clear to me that your politics demanded a Cameron victory. He may fall apart - anyone might - but for people of our views this is a hopeful moment. Davis's election certainly wouldn't have been.

Q - What are the chances of a Tory majority at the next election? If they
don't win, what will count as a moral victory?

I'm not a clairvoyant.

Q- Tony Blair - statesman or consummate actor?

Both, of course. You need to be something of an actor to be a statesman. I have a great deal of respect for Tony Blair, although obviously I have my reservations!

Q - Some American commentators have painted a picture of Jews living in a
state of siege in today's Europe. Are they exaggerating?

Jews are not living in a state of siege. However, in my first 39 years I never worried much about anti-semitism and in politics I hardly encountered it, in the last 4 years I have become much more concerned and have encountered it often. It's a serious problem, as the contents of my in-box demonstrate the day after I write a piece mentioning that I'm Jewish.

Q- What should Israel do to improve its PR?

As Paul Berman argues, the worse terrorism gets the more people search for a reason for it. So the best way Israel can improve its PR is to improve its security. The fewer Israelis that are killed, oddly enough, the less support the Palestinians will get.

Q - A United States of Europe in our lifetime?

I think widening is doing its job. I'm much less pessimistic about this than I was.

Q - Which American, living or dead, do you most admire?

Martin Luther King.

Q - What would you do to improve the quality of journalism in Britain?

Cover policy more and process stories less; and use statistics to inform the
reader properly about how likely stories are to affect them.

Q - Will the blogosphere ever play the same role in Britain as it does in the US?

I don't see why not.

Q - What's the best book on British life that most Americans have probably never heard of?

I think Tim Lott's "The Scent of Dried Roses" is a magnificent book. It looks at the way this country changed in the post-war years. It also provides a brilliant insight into depression.

Q - What's your favourite film?

"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". (Newman to Redford as the posse follows: "I think we lost 'em. Do you think we lost 'em?" "No," replies Sundance. "Neither do I," says Newman. My experience with New Labour exactly). Honourable Mention: "Annie Hall.

Q - And your favourite novel?