Tory survey predicts party rout

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, MAY 6. Two days before the Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, is expected to call a general election for June 7, a private poll by the Conservative Party shows that it is headed for a debacle which could be even worse than its crushing defeat in the last elections.

This confirms a raft of public polls, giving Labour a bigger majority in next Parliament despite widespread voter apathy and a distinct disillusionment with the Blair Government's performance, particularly its failure to improve public services.

The poll findings, published in The Sunday Times which suggested that the party was facing its worst defeat since 1906, came even as the Tories were struggling to cope with the effects of a bruising race row which, besides exposing deep divisions in the party over the issue, has raised questions about Mr. William Hague's leadership.

Mr. Hague's attempt to keep the flock together was further undermined by reports that some hardline Euro-sceptics planned to support the anti-Europe United Kingdom Independence Party in two constituencies, and the prominent black Tory Peer, Lord Taylor, piled on some more embarrassment on the party with a fresh attack on Mr. Hague's leadership - this time over a book published by Mr. Hague's powerful press secretary, Ms Amanda Platell. He called the book ``pornographic''.

Two weeks ago, Lord Taylor pushed the party to a crisis point by threatening to quit if no action was taken against the right-wing MP, Mr. John Townend, for making racist remarks. He publicly criticised Mr. Hague for not reining in the ``extremists'' in the party. His latest attack reinforces his theme that Mr. Hague is a ``weak'' leader.

In an interview to The Sunday Telegraph today, he said that by allowing Ms Platell to publish her book ``Scandal'' - a story of two ambitious Fleet Street women editors - Mr. Hague had sent out a wrong signal to Tory supporters. ``What sort of signal is this? On the one hand, he is going out to the churches and saying: please vote Tory. On the other hand, one of his advisers is writing pornography. I find the whole thing offensive'', Lord Taylor said, prompting speculation that he may not stay on in the party much longer.

Observers found it significant that Lord Taylor picked on a two- year-old book to attack Mr. Hague, and that a dyed-in- the-wool Tory paper such as The Sunday Telegraph not only sought out a known anti-Hague figure for an interview but also endorsed his views. It said: ``Lord Taylor's attack on Ms Platell will find resonance with many Tories who considered her book to be at odds with the traditional family values set by the party.''

This was seen as part of an anti-Hague campaign amid mounting speculation over a post-election challenge to his leadership.

Meanwhile, Mr. Blair is expected to call a special meeting of his Cabinet on Monday to finalise election plans before calling on the Queen on Tuesday to tell her of his decision on the election date.

According to reports, Parliament is likely to be dissolved on May 11, signalling the formal start of a three-week election campaign.

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Section  : International
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