Originally posted by UK Wizard
(this isn't aimed at anyone in particular)
Why aren't they a viable political force????
People should not live in the past, look at current policy rather than what the Tory's did 20 odd years ago.
New Labour will mean more political correctness, more waste, more buracracy....
The Conservatives arent a viable political force for the following reasons:
The whole party isnt behind Micheal Howard: The Tory Grandees are still vi-ing for power in the party,
from BBC NEWSWhen Michael Howard was catapulted into the job of Tory leader exactly one year ago, few believed he had any chance of
leading his party to a general election victory. The opposition had been through a protracted period of civil war which had seen the "mods" and
"rockers" - modernisers and traditionalists - knocking chunks out of each other, usually in the full glare of the media spotlight.Yet still the
polls refused to budge and the near-euphoria of the conference rapidly evaporated.
There was a feeling of desperation as the party wondered what on earth it had to do, which hadn't already been tried, to get back into the game.
And that, just months from the next general election, is where things have largely remained.
Few Tories seriously doubt Mr Howard's abilities and few believe anyone else could have done more to revive their fortunes.
But, as he marks his first anniversary as party leader, Mr Howard will look hard for any signs that he can lead his party to victory at the next
election.
The Tories are committed to an immediate cut of £20 billion to public services. Their planned two-year cash freeze would mean immediate real terms
cuts across government departments including law and order, defence, transport, early years education, and international aid. In addition, the Tories
are committed to cut at least £1 billion from the NHS and £1 billion from state schools to subsidise private healthcare and private education.
The appointment of John Redwood shows the failure of Michael Howard to move on from a failed Thatcherite past. John Redwood is the man who still
believes in scrapping the minimum wage, massive cuts to frontline services and privatisation of healthcare. His return to the Tory front bench shows
the Tories are more extreme than ever.
"The forecasts that I and others made about the national minimum wage were absolutely spot on.”
John Redwood, House of Commons, 6 May 2003
"I have endlessly stated a very clear position. We oppose the national minimum wage."
John Redwood MP, House of Commons, 29 April 1999
How can people not have a long memory, we saw this country broken apart bit by bit, privatisation destroyed industries. People remember, there current
policies are no different, they support the rich and dont care about the poor.
here is an article from Lib Dem website
AFTER A YEAR IN CHARGE HOWARD IS STILL FAILING TO IMPROVE TORY POLL RATING - TAYLOR
05/11/2004
Ahead of tomorrow's 1st anniversary of Michael Howard becoming Conservative Leader, Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Chairman,
today said that he had failed to hold the Government to account, let alone provide any realistic alternative to Labour.
Despite the unpopularity of Tony Blair's Government, the Conservatives remain almost 5% below their poll rating at the same stage in the last
Parliament - which was followed by their second worst General Election defeat since 1835.
Commenting, Matthew Taylor MP said:
"After a year as party leader, Michael Howard has made absolutely no progress compared to Iain Duncan Smith. His party continue to flat-line in the
polls.
"He has proved himself incapable of effectively holding the Government to account. It is small wonder that on issues such as pensions, crime,
schools, hospitals, and the war in Iraq people are increasingly turning to the Liberal Democrats as the only effective alternative to Labour."
“When leading Conservatives say Michael Howard has been opportunistic over Iraq, and has the wrong policies on tax and public services, it’s little
wonder that they are doing even worse than under Iain Duncan Smith.
These are just some of the reasons that the conservatives are a spent force from a variety of sources.
Edit BBCODE ERROR
[edit on 8-11-2004 by bigdanprice]
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