And what of the candidates now? I always had soft spot for Ken Clarke. Here is a man who indeed, as he states, can take on Blair and Labour and make a good job of it. He has charisma, he has the verbal dexterity to put the oppostion in its place. He has pursuasive abilities. It is said he is too old. Nonsense! I would make play of the very fact that he is older than other candidates, if indeed late 50s is old nowadays. Who on earth wants a young leader, inexperienced, rash perhaps, indecisive perhaps - no, an older man (or woman, but there is no one there in that department) would do the job much better. After all, we have an ageing electorate. But I habour fears about Ken's suitability. Europe is for me not an issue right now, and Ken has stated it will not be for another 10 years. He may be right there. But.... there is still that nagging doubt. No, it is other issues such as immigration where he is soft. I do go on about immigration, but the lack of a firm immigration policy will without any doubt prove to be the overriding problematic issue over the coming years. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves. I hear much about the Tories having to take the centre ground. Well, yes they have, but the problem is that is perceived, and I do say percieved, to be occupied by Labour. It also begs the question what is the centre ground, and I fear all too many Tories haven't a clue.
The what about David Davies? Well he has certain qualities, like Major a man of the people, perhaps a little more street wise. But, yes, he does remind too much of John Major. I rest my case.
David Cameron? I hope not, not at this stage at least. He is too young and inexperienced. Oh, he is eloquent and speaks with fervour, but those are not the only prerequisites for this job. Look what happened to William Hague. And I am still not quite sure what he means about modernisation. I know what I mean and agree the Tory party needs to be modernised. But he cannot tell me what he means. As important as presentation is, I fear we may go down the path of New Labour, all talk, but no substance.
Then we have Sir Malcolm Rifkind. Actually, I quite like what he says and the way he says it, but, I am sorry to say, he has no chance. Last but not least because he is Scottish!
The others? Well, all jolly decent chaps I am sure.
What makes me contemplate whether I will vote at all in the next general election, as much as we desperately need to get rid of this corrupt Labour government, is the fact that none of the above did anything, but anything to oppose Labour over the past 9 years. Nothing! And that in my eyes is their greatest shortcoming. I don't know where the Tories go from here. Last but not least I deeply suspect the Tory activists who will have the final say in this matter. Anyone who can give us IDS cannot be taken seriously.
My views on William Hague are well known, and I hope he is not a surprise candidate at the very last moment. Teresa May? Haven't really thought much about her. Nice figure though!