Dave The Chameleon - Criticisms

Criticisms

The campaign's critics have commented that this is just a personal attack on the Conservative Party leader, especially since the Labour party have released a ringtone which impersonates David Cameron. Others have noted that the Conservatives, with their election slogan 'vote blue, go green' have not effectively combatted this approach. The Labour party claim that the campaign is meant to be humorous and re-engage voters. By using ringtones and podcasts, they claim to be campaigning to younger generations. However other creatures appealing to younger generations used for the sale of mobile phone ringtones, most notably the Crazy Frog, have been banned from appearing on British television before the watershed. Ann Treneman, writing in The Times, said Labour had "plumbed new depths."

Other critics have noted that Tony Blair, then leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister has done a number of the things for which Cameron is criticised in the campaign. Indeed, in a 2002 article in an American journal, Blair was described as 'something of a chameleon'. They claim that:

• He has shortened his name from Anthony to Tony
• He, and much of his party, have "gone green"
• Blair was educated at Fettes College in Edinburgh (sometimes called the "Eton of Scotland"), so had a fairly privileged education himself.
• Blair and 'New Labour' are often credited with introducing spin to the UK as an important element of political campaigning.

Commentators have also noted that the campaign was flawed to the extent that it shows Cameron in a positive light. It has been said that Conservative MPs like the Chameleon tag, as it encourages the idea that Cameron does not stick steadfastly to "bad" policies, and that he thus listens to what people have to say.

At a reception for Conservative Fastrack in May 2006, David Cameron himself said that his two-year-old daughter described the chameleon as "that nice frog on the bike" and refers to it as "my favourite video".