Published: Fri, 14 Oct 2005 14:32:17 EST
Last month, I highlighted British parliamentarian David Cameron’s call for drug reform in his country, and it now appears that he is a frontrunner for the leadership post of Britain’s Conservative Party. The Financial Times reported today that he has won the endorsement of both The Economist and The Spectator, and is currently the “bookmakers’ favourite” to win.
What is even more remarkable about Mr. Cameron’s rise is his spirited deflection of whether he he has ever used a “Class A” drug (specifically, cocaine) — vowing not to bow to a “media witch hunt.” Having just viewed his speech to party leaders last week, it is easy to see why many have quickly embraced him to carry the Tory torch. [Here is the link to the text and video of the speech.]
Mr. Cameron seems to embrace an optimistic, forward-looking “compassionate” conservatism. If a revamped drug policy is part of his larger vision, all American drug reformers should view his rise as a most welcome development — and hope that he engages the American conservative brain trust with all due speed.
Posted by Nikos Leverenz.
