[Pikamax]

bring back john majors!

[Free_at_last_-2001]

...supported a Tory lawmaker who disclosed he was gay, and sought to make the party more inclusive by attracting more women, ethnic minorities and young people. - bad Iain

he failed to land punches even when Blair was on the ropes over the unpopular war in Iraq - good Iain

[struwwelpeter]

Duncan Smith, the 49-year-old son of a World War II fighter pilot and a ballerina

Whew, for a moment there I thought they meant "son of a World War II fighter pilot, and a ballerina."

[RobFromGa]

I vote for MadIvan as the new Tory Leader.

[MHT]

Would love to see a picture of his replacement. I hope he has hair. It was impossible for Smith because he's not telegenic. Blair photographs well, is tall with a great head of hair and big smile, and he made Smith look like an aging nerd by comparison. In a time when movie stars are winning elections and style is winning over substance (particularly in star-struck Diana-lovin' UK), the conservatives need to find someone with a little sex/youth appeal.

Sadly, people don't want to listen to what you have to say if they don't want to look at you. I've talked to many very frustrated conservatives in UK and many of them don't even understand how much more personal and economic freedom they would have if they could break the chains of entrenched socialism. BBC has little competition so "fair and balanced" alternative ideas don't seem to get presented to the people for discussion. There is no Rush Limbaugh or talk radio over there, which makes me wonder if anything will change until they have some sort of groundswell grassroots movement. Which media would feed this movement, with tv so limited and radio nonexistent, I cannot imagine. Back to pamphlets and tabloids?

[GiveEmDubya]

Iain Duncan Smith was a man of principle, and I respected that, but he had as much charisma as a wet dish rag.

Consequently, the guy they want to replace him with [Michael Howard] also has the charm of said dish rag.

When the Iron Lady left, apparently she took all the voter appeal with her.

[CurlyBill]

I always thought William Hague was a good guy...

[Redmen4ever]

Duncan Smith, the 49-year-old son of a World War II fighter pilot and a ballerina, surprised many by leading the traditionalist Tories in a moderate direction.

"and a ballerina" ... did they know he was a ballerina when they elected him their leader? I realize Conservative M.P.'s like to wear ladies' undergarments, but, come on, a line's got to be drawn somewhere.