20.10.2005
Ken Clarke was booted out, and I cannot say that I am surprised. He scored an enormous own-goal some days ago, by declaring that he welcomed Turkish EU membership in due course. How on earth did he think that would go down with his party? Well never mind, so John Whitney will not be scurrying around the Garrick Club making arrangements for a celebratory dinner!
And then David Davies. He is so grey he reminds me of John Major - and that is a terrifying thought. No doubt a decent fellow, but he has not the charisma to beat Gordon Brown - and that is saying something. Talking of Brown, we all assume that he will be the next leader of the Labour party. I am not so sure
And then we have good old Laim Fox. He is not his father's son - the latter was amusing. But I also have a lot of time for what he says, but fear he too has not got the personality to hack it.
So who does that leave? Oh yes, David Cameron. I suspect local parties were keen on pushing him long before the general election. A good showing he gave, that's for sure. I have always said presentation, presentation, presentation - that is all that matters. All that matters to get elected that is. I know nothing about him. Has he the wit to get elected on performance, never mind the substance, and then prove us all wrong? I am sceptical. On a more serious note, he has a receding hairline. Now we all know that you cannot be elected as Prime Mnister if you don't have a good head of hair. After all, that is one of the reasons Blair is on the way out. His has been receding for some years now.
The most important point for me is that none of the above, none of them, were there to be seen, to be heard, during the last election. Perhaps none of them wanted to blot their copy book, knowing Howard would resign and they would stand for leadership. Well, if that is the case it is very much a matter of putting themselves before their country - and that won't do.
No, I am very disappointed. I do not at this stage feel I could vote for any of them. Perhaps I shall emigrate.