Can the Tories figure out how Bush won again?

The Telegraph ^ | 11-4-2004 | Charles Moore

[DJinDenver]

Can the Tories figure out how Bush won again? By Charles Moore (Filed: 04/11/2004)

A conservative has just won for a second time, more strongly than four years ago. It is the biggest vote ever cast for a conservative in the history of the world. And that conservative's job is the most important in the world. Where is the British Conservative Party?

The most honest answer is, no one is quite sure. Michael Howard, the party leader, is strongly Atlanticist, but he devoted so much energy earlier this year to trying to catch Tony Blair out over the war in Iraq that he incurred the displeasure of George W Bush, who refused to see him.

The Tories in theory support the war, and endorse the idea of the "war against terrorism", but their comments about both are largely carping. Alan Duncan, the party's frontbench spokesman on foreign affairs, came out for John Kerry. This did nothing for Mr Kerry, of course, and less than nothing for the Conservative Party.

Meanwhile, Mr Blair looks fine. His friend has won again. His loyalty to him will be rewarded. And the example of re-electing your leader after a controversial war will help Mr Blair when he goes to the polls next year.

Some Tories say that Mr Bush is unpopular here in Britain, so there was no sense in getting close to him. Yes, he is unpopular, but if you are to put distance between yourself and him, you have to know why, and where you propose to go.

[glennherman]

The Tories have no core values. Also, they do not believe in a better future. They are crap.

[Admin Moderator]

To prevent duplication, please do not alter the heading. Thanks.

[marron]

The way to win, the right way to win, is to stand for what you stand for. Find your moral center. Reach out to those individuals who are prepared to work with you, but stand for what you stand for.

Of course, to find your moral center, you have to have one. I can't say that the Labor Party does or doesn't, but Blair most certainly does, just as Bush most certainly does. The British Conservatives need to decide what they believe in and stop apologizing.

You can't win by pretending to be a moderate, you win by reaching out to moderates but not by becoming one. If you don't know what you believe in, you won't convince anyone else either, and so any coalition you put together based on hiding your principles is going to be shortlived, always at the edge of unraveling, always afraid its beliefs will be discovered by the general public.

It is a ticket to well-earned irrelevance.

[DJinDenver]

"It is a ticket to well-earned irrelevance."

You nailed it

[singfreedom]

Gosh----I may have to hunt up a subscription to The Daily Telegraph! This is the second marvelously astute article I've read from the Telegraph tonight.

Winston Churchill always said Britain must never separate itself from the United States. He was right we need each other. In spite of their more Euro-styled mentality, the Brits and Americans still have more in common than not.

Tony Blair has had a rough patch, but has done a remarkable job of keeping his country together and fighting the war on terror. Britons must recognize his worth or risk tossing him, then, too late, realizing their loss! I think it would be a repeat of a mistake they made with another great war time leader, Winston Churchill. Hopefully, they'll be smarter this time around.

[singfreedom]

Yes, just witness John F. Kerry!

[Edgewood Pilot]

I wonder when Labor (Blair) comes up for vote??

[Nosterrex]

It is interesting to note that the Brits have a state supported church, and yet Christianity plays little, if any, role in the life of the people. It's the same throughout most of Europe, and it is almost impossible for them to understand the American people. They just can't comprehend the profound impact that religious beliefs have on American voters.
Having gone to post-grad school in England, I observed this firsthand. Nothing drives the Brits more crazy than for President Bush to talk about his faith. Actually, Tony Blair, the leader of the Labor Party, which is the liberal party, is a sincere Christian. I think this is one reason why Bush and Blair have formed a profound friendship.

[gary_b_UK]

Blair can call the election anytime up to June 2006, when it will be forced upon him by the maximum 5 year life of a Parliament expiring. Going right up to the wire and serving 5 years is a sign of weakness, only those PMs who know they will probably lose go so far, most call an election 4 years after the last.

Most expect Blair to call the election for May or June next year, but it has been speculated in recent weeks he could go for an early February election to benefit from any "Baghdad bounce" that may arise from successful elections in Iraq.