| Make Me a Tory | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Documentary |
| Created by | Daniel Cormack |
| Written by | Daniel Cormack |
| Directed by | Daniel Cormack |
| Starring | Daniel Cormack David Cameron Claire Hilley Mark Clarke Mark Wallace |
| Narrated by | Daniel Cormack |
| Theme music composer | Paul Mottram |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Wendie Ottewill |
| Cinematography | Sam Key Patrick Smith Ben Foster |
| Editor | Francis Buchanan |
| Running time | 24 minutes |
| Production companies | Maverick Television Resource Base |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 4 |
| Release | 13 May 2007 (2007-05-13) |
Make Me a Tory is a 2007Britishauthored documentary film directed by Daniel Cormack forChannel 4.
The film opens with Daniel Cormack returning to the area ofSouth London in which he grew up and reflecting on how the influence of that predominantlyleft-wing environment formed his political views. In spite of being born in1979 as one of "Thatcher's children", the "thought of nailing his colours to theTory mast" seems "nothing short of horrific".[1][2][3] Nonetheless, since casting hisfirst vote at the age of 18 in theLabour landslide of 1997 he has become increasingly disillusioned with theLabour government and wonders if he can "do the unthinkable and turn Tory".
Setting off on a journey around the country to meet Conservatives, he starts by revisiting hisalma mater,Oxford University where he "first met people who were actually Conservatives".[4] He is invited to aPort and Policy debate ("the Oxford equivalent of setting the world to rights over a few beers"[5]) held by theOxford University Conservative Association, but despite a lively and at times provocative debate aboutDavid Cameron's leadership - as well as large amounts ofPort - he finds himself just as unconvinced by the Oxford Conservatives as in his student days.
Traveling onwards, Daniel goeslitter picking with the "gung-hoteenage Tories of theWirral" and is impressed by theiraltruism, lack ofcynicism and sense ofcivic responsibility even if the group's leader has nicknamed her carMaggie. Back inSouth London, Daniel is invited to a dinner party hosted by the chair of the localConservative Future branch,Claire Hilley. Over dinner, a heated argument breaks out over the legacy ofThatcher between the ardent believers in her policies and those more in tune withDavid Cameron'scompassionate Conservatism, leaving Daniel to ponder whether this schism in theparty will manifest itself in a Conservative government.
The next day Daniel goesleafleting with the national Chair ofConservative Future - and subsequent 'Tatler Tory'[6] electioncandidate forTooting, South London -Mark Clarke. Coming from a similarlydeprived background, Daniel hopes Mark's rationale for being a Conservative will help him make up his mind; a hope which is somewhat dashed when Mark makes anoff-the-cuff disparaging remark about the "local people" on thecouncil estate they are canvassing. Realising how much his background has formed his political views - and remembering the hostility shown to a Tory election candidate who came to speak at his school in1997 - Daniel suggests Mark does a talk about Conservatism as thecomprehensive he attended,Thomas Tallis School. Mark faces some robust questioning from the students, but to Daniel's surprise some of them say they would consider voting Conservative in the general election.
Confused, not only by the different varieties of conservative beliefs, but also by his own mixed feelings over going against the grain of his upbringing, Daniel decides the best way to decide once and for all is to speak toDavid Cameron. Explaining that Thatcher was a 'hate figure' where he grew up, Daniel asks Cameron how the Conservatives have gone fromdenying the concept of society to embracing it and whether this is a genuine change or a cosmetic one. Cameron replies by saying that "the 1980s was all about solving the problem of Britain'sbroken economy now it is actually a message much more about...thebroken society.[5] LeavingPortcullis House, Daniel concludes that while it would be a "bigleap of faith" to ask the Conservatives to pick up the broken pieces of society, the Conservatives he's met have at least removed some of hisnegative preconceptions about the Tories.
Although originally scheduled in anoff-peak slot[3] in a series of works by new directors[1][7] onChannel 4, the programme went on to achieve wider awareness when, in 2008, theBritish Film Institute screened the film theatrically as part of a "Director's Showcase" in their February 2008 programme.[8][9] Later that year, growing recognition of the film led its director and author to win a "Hot Shot" award by the trade paperBroadcast in their annual round-up of the best up and coming talent under 30.[10][11]
In 2010,Make Me a Tory was selected for preservation by theBritish Film Institute'sNational Archive[12] as well as being programmed as a permanent exhibit in the BFI'sMédiathèques inLondon, theLibrary of Birmingham, theNational Science and Media Museum in Bradford andManchester Central Library as part of theBallot Box collection of notable films on politics.[13] Clips of the programme were used in Channel 4'sAlternativeElection Night 2010 coverage.[14]
Time Out London reviewed the BFI's theatrical screening:
"Director Daniel Cormack is a likeable presence as he goes front of camera in this political documentary. A disillusioned Labour supporter, Cormack goes in search of the Tory youth of today to see if his vote can be swayed. From the big teeth ya-ya brigade of Oxford Uni conservative club to interviewing the big, blue man himself - David Cameron - Cormack ends up unfortunately still floating, but it is a worthwhile and interesting piece about the future Conservatism."[15]
Broadcast "Hot Shot" Award 2008 (Directing category)
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