Post by timrollpickering on Mar 7, 2016 10:30:18 GMT
In the early stages of the 1997 leadership contest Michael Howard and William Hague discussed a ticket of Howard running for leader with Hague to get a senior position (I think and be heir presumptive. Hague left the meeting having agreed to it but the next morning he changed his mind and opted to stand in his own right.
Supposing it had held? What would have happened?
Michael Heseltine observed that the election of the 1922 chairman was a sign of the party's direction & pointer to the leadership - rejecting a senior ex Cabinet minister in favour of a much lesser known Eurosceptic. Would one of Howard, Lilley or Redwood have prevailed?
Stephen Dorrell's bid barely garnered any support and he withdrew - but without Hague in the field might he have picked up more? Or would his rather convenient repositioning and election gaffes have counted against him?
And could the Howard ticket have been strong enough to see off Ann Widdecombe's attack?
Supposing it had held? What would have happened?
Michael Heseltine observed that the election of the 1922 chairman was a sign of the party's direction & pointer to the leadership - rejecting a senior ex Cabinet minister in favour of a much lesser known Eurosceptic. Would one of Howard, Lilley or Redwood have prevailed?
Stephen Dorrell's bid barely garnered any support and he withdrew - but without Hague in the field might he have picked up more? Or would his rather convenient repositioning and election gaffes have counted against him?
And could the Howard ticket have been strong enough to see off Ann Widdecombe's attack?
