Leader of the conservative party

[incitatus]

who do we feel would be the least objectionable replacement for ids?

[darth vader]

a post box

[bernardo]

Anyone who would have the guts to stand up to the tyranny and dictatorship of the corrupt, wasteful and bureaucratic European Union, and who would adopt a policy of withdrawing the UK from the EU all together, so that we can get our democracy and sovereignty back, and so that our laws can be made by out own elected parliament in Westminster. Definitely not the traitor Clarke (who wants to give up the pound) or the traitor Major (who signed the Maastricht treaty) or the traitor Thatcher (who agreed to QMV) or the traitor Heath (who led us into the mess in the first place), or any of the like-minded fellow-travellers of those people.

[andy hughes]

An interersrting choice of words, which i know from your long and distinguished contribution to this site, will have been carefully chosen. Anyone who has spent the last few days and weeks denying any interest: Letwin / Portillo / Clarke would be severe hypocrits to take the job (an obvious asset for a Conservative leader!), so that really leaves Michael Howard who has Cabinet experience, and has declared his interest. As for his 'objctionable' status, that's a matter of opinion. Interesting times ahead.

[sft42]

Isn't it funny how close IDS is/was to IBS? As for a replacement and their objectionality.....take your pick....they are all liars and vagabonds....I challenge anyone to name a politician who hasn't lied through his or her teeth at one point or other.

[snaykz]

Right now the Tory's are unelectable, so some drastic change is needed if they ever want to get back into power. Personally I'd go for Clarke, although it seems to me that he's in the wrong party. I don't think the Tory's will go for him, so expect another ineffectual opposition leader. I miss Hague; I didn't agree with his policies, but at least he made PMQ's a laugh. IDS is so bad, but I think many people knew that from day one.

[Quizmonster]

Sft, I for one did notice the similarity between IDS and IBS. In fact, in pub conversations, I invariably refer to him as 'Irritable Dowel Syndrome'. That seems particularly apposite, given that a dowel is a wooden artefact! As for his replacement...will it matter?

[gilf]

I think IDS was a serious mistake from the off. The last thing they needed when they got rid of the balding, silly voiced idiot was another one. They need a leader with some balls. The IDS speech where he said The quite man is turning up the volume was one of the most scripted and badly delivered speeches I have even seen, it just made him look like a very quite man talking slightly louder and looking very uncomfortable doing so.

[Jenny Tools]

Whats Sooty doing these days ?

[darth vader]

responding to sft42 - Dennis Skinner, Tony Benn.....

responding to gilf - a leader with balls? Why doesn't Ms Widdecombe go for it?

[bernardo]

Sf42: name a politician who has not lied through his/her teeth: Me!

[Chinajan]

Well said darth vader. Skinner and Benn were the two names that originally sprang to my mind. And I'd add Jack Ashley MP as an honourable type. Replacement for IDS? They could do worse than resurrecting Tarzan. Ooh controversial. At least he had a semblance of charisma.

[Step666]

Boris!

[Step666]

If you don't believe me, watch back episodes of HIGNFY to see him in action. For anyone who doesn't have a clue about great comedy/TV, HIGNFY is Have I Got News For You.