Tony Blair and David Cameron had some remarkably similar things to say this week, and some say Cameron resembles a youthful Blair. But simply claiming the Tory leader is Blair mark II is missing the point, says Political Editor Tomos Livingstone

IT'S a favourite trick of politicians at Westminster, and it goes like this. Faced with questions about a particular policy, you read out a long quote saying how good an idea it is. You then wait for everyone to nod sagely, and then say "who said that? It was [insert name of MP from opposite party]" and wait for the laughter.

So let's try this. Who's this, talking about their 2007 Welsh manifesto? "This will include an agenda of localism, choice and professionalism in public services, combating social injustice and enhancing the environment."

Sounds like Tony Blair, doesn't it? But it was David Cameron. And both used almost exactly the same phrase ("Young people need to be set boundaries") when talking to youth justice professionals in Cardiff this week.

Both men have made it their political mission to modernise their own parties, and, by extension, the country. Both were elected to the job at a young age after their parties had spent a long time in opposition, and both are keen strategists with a masterly grasp of the soundbites.

Small wonder, then, that many people think Cameron is in a similar position to Blair some 12 years ago. There have even been hints that the PM is relaxed about the Tory leader succeeding him - although this is one of those Westminster rumours that should taken with a large pinch of salt.

Blair was a bit slow to start attacking the Tory leader when he took over last year, but those days have now gone; this week he finally decided to make the case that Gordon Brown was a better contender for his job than Cameron.

The similarities between Blair and Cameron are striking. Both are young, both are trying to make their parties more relevant to modern Britain and both are confident performers in the Commons and on the airwaves. Blair told the Cabinet to "call me Tony" on day one; Cameron is already known as "Dave" to all and sundry.

The Tory leader has even encouraged the comparison - a tactic to highlight differences with Gordon Brown, and it would be silly to try to argue that he hasn't taken some pointers from the way Blair transformed the Labour party.

But are these two party leaders really two sides of the same coin? Not quite. The way Labour controlled its key messages from 1994 was startlingly disciplined, giving rise to the accusation of paranoia and over-the-top spin. It's impossible to imagine Blair allowing a tax commission to publish a document suggesting something he didn't agree with - exactly what happened to Cameron last month.

On a related point, Blair had a strong team of true believers all around him from day one - Gordon Brown (they only started falling out later), Alastair Campbell, Peter Mandelson and John Prescott. Cameron cannot boast the same level of dedication from his top team yet. Can you name his spin doctor? Thought not - but everyone knew Alastair Campbell's name in the late-1990s.

Blair had a good deal more experience when he took over (having been an MP for 11 years to Cameron's four).

Cameron, meanwhile, is happy to remind everyone that he is a "Conservative" at every opportunity, stressing that he is breathing new life into his party rather than, as Blair did, inventing a whole new philosophy. Blair almost never says "I am a democratic socialist", and he doesn't say "Labour" that often either. We know what Blairism is - I don't think Cameronism yet exists.

The Tory leader does have some advantages - he's much sharper on modern technology than Blair, and he's been quicker to focus on issues like family life and the environment.

The Leader of the Opposition is right to pick up on lessons from the Blair project. But he's a smart enough politician to know there's little to be gained, in the long term, from trying to be too like someone else.

Head to head - and shoulder to shoulder

Age when elected to lead party

Blair 41

Cameron 39

Years the party had been in opposition at that point

Blair 15

Cameron 8

Family life

Blair Married, with three children - a fourth was born after he became PM

Cameron Married with three children


Blair Fettes and Oxford

Cameron Eton and Oxford

Man-of-the-people credentials

Blair Never seen without a mug of tea, played keepy-uppy for the cameras with Kevin Keegan and took a guitar with him to number 10.

Cameron His webcameron blog offers a glimpse into his life which apparently involves washing up porridge bowls before writing speeches

Radio DJ skills

Blair Called a radio phone-in show yesterday and said his favourite song from the 1980s was U2's 'street with no name' - it's actually Where the Streets Have No Name'.

Cameron Told a community radio station to 'keep it real' on a visit to north London earlier this year

Key quote in Cardiff this week

Blair "Like other parts of the criminal justice system, the youth justice system should also be re-balanced."

Cameron "When someone commits a crime, of course, there must be punishment. If you step over the boundaries of law, you should suffer the consequences."