David Cameron, Britain’s Conser­vative leader, has enjoyed notable success galvanising his party in the 30 months since he was elected. He has made it more approachable, ridding the Tories of their image as Britain’s “nasty” party. He has frequently struck the right tone battling with the hapless Brown government. His progress is re­flected in opinion polls, which put the Conservatives about 20 points ahead of Labour.

But with two years to the probable date of the next election, Mr Cameron is found wanting in one regard. The Conservatives look like a party that revels in repositioning rather than taking tough decisions on the serious issues confronting Britain. A little vagueness can be tolerated, perhaps, in opposition leaders. But in three broad areas, Mr Cameron’s posturing is undermining his broader credibility.