CONSERVATIVES SOON TO TAKE POWER IN BRITAIN

Shades Of Margaret Thatcher And Ronald Reagan

from JoeUser Forums
Since Tony Blair took office as prime minister of Britain in 1997, the opposition Tory Party in that country has lacked cohesion to the point of being seen as an insignificant political party. Enter Michael Howard.

After defeating incumbent Ian Smith in an unusual show of Tory unity, Britain’s new opposition leader wasted no time in making his mark as leader of the conservatives. The eloquent Howard’s inaugural speech as Tory leader was hailed as a round defeat for Blair--who himself is not a bad debater in the House of Commons.

As Tory leader, Howard is assembling an all-star political team to support him. The importance of a media front man is one thing he has learned from Blair--whose spin doctors enabled him to come up smiling following countless fiascos that embroiled his government. Howard has appointed well known PR czar Maurice Saatchi as his representative with the media. In another bold stroke, Howard has appointed Stephen Sherbourne, Margaret Thatcher’s former political secretary, as chief of staff.

With a streamlined and politically aggressive team in place, Howard is intent not just on beating his opponent in debate in the Commons--he is bent on seizing the prime ministership in 2004. It’s clear that the winds of change are about to sweep through London.

Since George Bush will almost certainly win the American presidential election, it will be nice to have both countries ruled by right-wingers. It will be like when Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan were in power back in the eighties. We need strong leaders and good sound policy in these terror times in which we live.
politics
6,598 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Although i like Blair as a PM, i still have images of Thatcher ...the "iron lady'...and either way...Howard or Blair...the winning Leader will not likely leave Americas side in the future...and thats good enough for me..Anyway...i wish both candidates good luck....and may the U.S. & the U.K. leave neithers side any time soon....
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Marvin: I think many people still think of Tony Blair as someone who has a lot of credibility. Im not sure I agree with the way he has been running the country, but I am certain that I do not want another conservative in No. 10. Things were very bad during their government, and I am sure people have not forgotten already. Mr Blair is much younger than Mr. Howard, and as such appeals to younger voters. I think people see Howard as someone who perhaps belonged in Thatchers government, and not someone who can really relate to modern Britain.

I like the fact that Britain can been seen as being liberal. There have been changes to socity (such as lowering cannabis to be a class C drug) which would never have happened under a conservative government. My grandmother, is also better off now than she has ever been financially (her words, not mine) thanks to pension and tax breaks and benefits she now receives.

also, Couchman: I watched "Love Actually" the other night, which depicts a new British Prime minister played by Hugh Grant, facing up to the realities of how America seems to treat us as a nation. At a press conference with the US president, he basically told the world that the relationship was one sided, and that things were going to change. Huge applause from everyone present. Upset face on the cheif.

I found myself relating to this cheering crowd, and I think this is how many Brits are feeling at the moment, so I dont think your point really stands up. As a nation we have always loved America, but things are so different here today in comparison to just 5 years ago. People rarely say nice things about the States anymore. "Typical Yank" is often heard.... which is upsetting for me, as I have a lot of American family.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Marvin the Majority that Tony and the Labour party has is simply so large that it can not be over turned in one election. The conservatives will need at least two elections to overhaul the Labour Party,

Also Michael Howard and the Tories in general are still very unpopular with the average British voter thanks to old Maggie and the grey man John Major, Big business and particularly Rupert Murdoch is still backing Blair. Maybe of the peasants vote for who Rupert tells them to in the "Sun" newspaper and at the moment that's Tone.

Well done for moving your subject matter on by the way old chap.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
While Michael Howard is a vast improvement on his predecessor he has still made quite a few potical blunders in the last few months. The three that most stick in my mind are his inept handling of the committee to investigate the Iraq intelligence, his poor handling of the 45 minute scandal and his recent misreading of Blair's trip to Libya.

In the first case Howard claimed that the committee the Tories agreed to be part of would cover all the issues it needed to. This was despite the Lib Dems refusing to take part specifically as it failed to deal with the political decisions. A few weeks later the Tories pull out because it fails to deal with the political decisions. He screwed up. Even worse a conservative who Howard had nominated to sit on the committee refused to leave it adding to the farce.

The second case involved that momentus occasional when Tony Blair admitted he had not realised that the 45 minute claim did not relate to missiles. This was despite him using this exact claim to convince the country to supoport him. Despite him talking about the threat to the army base in Cyprus. Even worse other cabinate members said they had known! So how does Howard use this amazing political leverage he has been given. He demands an immediate resignation! As if! What a waste! How about using the fact that the war may have been influenced by this to argue for an extension to the mandate of the investigation committee? How about using this to suggest the government has made other mistakes? In fact the whole issue blew over in about 3 days. What a missed oppertunity. Howard screwed up by asking for something stupid. Not knowing the exact details of the claim was screw up by Tony. It should have damaged his credibility. But instead people were left asking what planet Howard was on.

The third case was this week when he tried to blemish Tony Blair's visit to Libya. Tried to suggest it was unacceptable to do so straight after the terrorism in Madrid. Said it was insulting for the families of Lockerbie. Most political commentators realised the significance of that meeting now of all times. An indication that renouncing terrorism and helping in the fight against it would be rewarded. A signal to the Muslim world that the UK wanted to be friends with them and work with them.

I really had high hopes for Howard and many of his other actions have looked good. In reality though I don't think he's got what it takes to be PM. I'm probably going to vote for the Lib Dem's instead. If only the Tories had Charles Kennedy as leader. Then they would rally stand a chance,

Paul.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
You make some good points about Michael Howard, he has the ammunition to destroy Tony but he seems incapable of doing it. Maybe he will get there in the end but I can never see the chap being primeminister unless he bucks his ideas up.

Are you joking about Charles Kennedy, I find him to be somewhat of a buffoon and he is clearly an alcoholic. I have seen him in many a London bar intoxicated with liquor. I have heard rumours on the grapevine that Charles will not be leader of the Lib Dems for too much longer - this comes from a reliable source. A leadership challenge will arrive in the spring!
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Charles Kennedy may not look like much but his policy ideas are extremely well thought out. Just look at labours budget announcement of cutting 40k whitehall jobs. Wonder which party they stole that from? Next up for stealing is likely to be the abolish council tax and replace it with income tax. He's a very shrewd leader and his speach last weekend was excellent.

As for being an alcoholic, I'm not sure. Something looks to be wrong with his health but it may indeed just have been an illness. It's his business. I find it very funny when political opponents fall back on the health argument. If they can;t stab at someone for their speeches and views it says a lot about that person. Lib Dem's would be silly to replace him now. Possibly after the next election or if the situation deteriorates but for the moment he comes across as the sharpest and most intelligent leader.

paul.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Marvin: you miss the point with tony, he has no real alternative within or outside his party. The competition is very limited and actually. New labour govewrnment has borrowed from the 2 other main parties leaving them with bits and pieces fo manifesto. I would like Tony to go, like Aznar without being ousted and leave the labour in good condition to really win. But I doubt it...

Regarding George' reelection, don't be too sure, his 4 years of presidency have been a rollercoaster.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
While i'm not a prophet, there is just something in the air in Britain. Common sence is stirring.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think some of you Brits will be amazed at the outcome of the coming elections. The average Brit is keeping his/her opinions to themselves at this time. But when the actual election occurs I think they will vote conservative. I think the election will be one of the most unexpected results in 40 years.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Somehow I doubt it. While people are becomming very dissillusioned with the current government they don't really want to vote for conservatives either. Many of the people I know have no intention of voting because of this. Those who might vote would vote for the lib dems, but what's the point without proportional representation it's a wasted vote. It's a sorry state for democracy in this country when people have to vote A or B and choose the lesser of two evils.

On an aside, the Tory handling of the recent passport scandals has not been too bad. Again they fell back on their tried and tested 'resign' arguement far too soon. They should have raised the issue waited for the government to either blamce the department or the policy and then gone for the jugular. By demanding a resignation before they even knew whose resignation to ask for they wasted the opopertunity. They showed that they weren't in the slightest interested in the problem purely in doing damage to the government. Big pity as they could have won quiet a lot of votes if they jsut cared about the country a bit more than getting into power.

Paul.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
Marvin you underestimate the hatred still felt for the Conservatives, I can guarantee you that they will not win the election.

A majority the size of Labour's has never been over turned in one election and the Conservatives are certainly not popular enough to make history, you are dreaming I'm afraid old chap.