May 2006 - With IDS ousted, will the Conservatives ever find a way to win?
Even as the Conservative Party has steadily made ground through the last two General Elections, a constant drop in votes has left the party at a record low 28%, leading to the resignation of Ann Widdecombe and by a vote of no confidence launched by rebels Alan Duncan and John Bercow ousting Iain Duncan Smith. Despite a second general election in the year looming close the Conservatives have decided to hold an emergency contest and change leaders rather than try again with IDS, and with the hardline Thatcherite right discredited two candidates have gathered enough support to stand:
The Candidates:
William Hague: An experienced frontbencher, the witty and young Hague is running as a modernizing from the right of the party, arguing the Conservatives need to continue a more sensible Eurosceptic line while embracing "compassionate conservatism" and rebrand the party without giving up its traditional values. Hague's supporters emphasize his long service to the party, arguing he would be a safe pair of hands going into the next election.
Chris Patten: Patten is back for a final bid, running on a platform jokingly referred to as "I told you so". Patten has moderated his stance on Europe arguing the issue was settled in the referendum (no entry to the Euro), but kept his line that the party needs to move towards the center in a radical way, standing up for more social liberal values while keeping the economically liberal agenda to restore the economy. Patten has also expressed the Tories should see a Coalition or National government of sorts with other parties to prevent Labour from continuing in office.
You have two days to vote.
Poll
