Lawson takes wind out of Dave’s sails

Apart from the occasional outburst from Lord Tebbit, the big beasts of Thatcher/Major years have, thus far, avoided any direct criticism of David Cameron. However, Lord Lawson, the former chancellor, has been unable to resist taking a pop at the Tory leader's ecological aspirations.

Lawson, who is promoting his book An Appeal to Reason: A Cool Look at Global Warming, said in an interview in this week's Sunday Times: "David Cameron has gone overboard. I can understand some of the motivation. He was clearly engaging in re-branding the Conservative party because the old brand would not sell. But I suspect he may believe in it."

Lawson clearly feels Cameron, who has a wind turbine at his Notting Hill home and has a rather patchy record on reducing carbon omissions - yes, he cycles to work, but he was caught sending his bags ahead in a chauffeur driven car - is at best naive. "I think [Cameron's emphasis on green issues] is completely mistaken," adds Lawson. "I don't think he has thought through the consequences."