Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

Change of Leader

In my first article on these fine pages, I promised you all that I would not use this space to make a party political broadcast. I intend to keep that promise, but I think that many of you would be very surprised if I did not take this opportunity to talk about the impromptu leadership election in the Conservative Party.

Conservative elections are primarily an internal matter for the Conservative Party. However many of you voted for us at the last general election and perhaps feel that you have some interest in the matter. Even those of you who voted for another political party still feel that the Tories should be providing strong opposition to the government. This issue could be of interest to you too.

I want to start by saying that I believe that good things were achieved under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith. For the first time in a political generation we have managed to stop feuding about the issue of Europe. This was a huge achievement.

We have also begun to develop some exciting new policies to improve our failing public services. These policies are radical and eye catching and sure to shape the agenda of the next Conservative government.

But there were problems. The government have suffered the worst summer that any administration could suffer and yet we Conservatives had not managed to make substantial and sustained gains in the polls. Clearly our message was not getting across.

The Country deserves a strong opposition, and for that to happen the opposition needs a strong leader. The Conservative party now have the option of electing a strong leader.

He or she needs to be a person of substance and integrity. Preferably with a bit of experience as well.

A few weeks ago I wrote about how politicians need to work hard at regaining the trust of the British people whoever takes over the leadership of the party will need to take crucial steps in that direction.

Over the last two years many of you have written to me expressing your views on the Tory leadership. Please feel free to carry on doing so.

posted by Nigel on Monday, November 10, 2003