Ballot papers were sent out on Friday to the 300,000 activists of the Conservative party across the UK to choose their next leader. Voting is in process after an hour’s televised debate between David Cameron and David Davis, the two contenders. Amongst the issues that cropped up in their debate were tax, drugs, style of leadership, and European issue among others.
At least 40 per cent of them are expected to send their ballot papers much before the 5 December deadline.
Mr Cameron, 39, is fancied by the bookies'. But Donal Blaney, ex-chairman of Conservative Future, which represents people under 30 said: “I think that David Cameron came across as one would expect - more fluently - and certainly came out with very nice phrases.” Davis, on the other hand, was thought by some observers as to having turned the tables after his none-too-impressive showing at Conservative conference in Blackpool last month.
Interestingly, both the candidates accused each other of using ‘Blair’s’ tactics. The debate, broadcast on BBC1, showed that neither of the candidates came up with the knockout punch. However, the debate will play a key part in deciding as to who the Tories will zero in on as their leader.
Meanwhile, the supporters of both the leaders are leaving no stone unturned. A Cameron campaign spokesman retorted at suggestions that Mr Davis had got the better of his younger rival saying, "David Cameron beat him on most questions." He also averred that Mr Davis had looked "hopeless" and "incompetent" and his messages were targetted at core Conservative supporters, while Mr Cameron captured the imagination of a "new generation" of voters.
A Davis campaign spokesman claimed that he had been "inundated" with e-mails from newly won supporters following the debate. He added: "David's a good debater. He is very quick on his feet."
Activists are reported to have been taken in by Cameron's message that the party must modernise and revise its policies to keep in tune with the changing times, while some analysts believe Cameron's inexperience could leave him high and dry when he confronts Tony Blair.
Posted
on : Sat, 05 Nov 2005 10:40 GMT | Politics News
By : Anne Philips
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