I'm a one-nation Tory: Duncan Smith

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, AUG. 27. Amid fresh allegations that the Tory leadership has been soft- pedalling attempts by right-wing extremists to infiltrate the party, Mr. Ian Duncan Smith, who is widely tipped to take over the reins next month, today assured ethnic minorities that he had ``always been unwaveringly opposed to the evil of racism''. Under his leadership the party would be ``open to everyone whatever their colour, background, class or lifestyle,'' he said even as it emerged that one of his leading supporters Mr. Michael Ancram, a former party chairman, did not act on warnings that the far Right British National Party (BNP) was trying to smuggle its supporters into the Tory fold. It was alleged that a known BNP activist, Mr. Stuart Millson was allowed to join the party though Mr. Ancram was told about his background. The Times said it had seen correspondence warning the leadership of Mr. Millson's activities. His racist remarks in the general election campaign deeply embarrassed the party leadership and led to his expulsion. A black Tory peer Lord Taylor said he had recently passed ``evidence'' of racism and far Right infiltration into the party and insisted that racism was a problem . ``Because the party is so antiquated they are in a state of denial. It's like an alcoholic who denies they have any problems,'' he said.

Mr. Duncan Smith, who was personally embarrassed when it turned out last week that his campaign manager in Wales, Mr. Edgar Griffin had close links with BNP, admitted that ``BNP infiltration is a problem for all mainstream political parties'' but said the bulk of BNP voters were in Labour-held seats and had ``often voted Labour''. In an article in The Times, he portrayed himself as a ``one nation Tory'' and declared that under his leadership any Tory member with links to the BNP would be ``out on his ear.'' The word from his campaign team was that he would introduce measures to ``systematically'' root out members found to have links with far Right groups. ``If you are a member of one of these groups you had better pack your suitcase now because if Ian becomes leader you are going,'' his spokesman said.

Meanwhile, ordinary Tory members appear to have confirmed their reputation as right-wing Eurosceptics, judging from an opinion poll according to which 76 per cent of the Tories are backing Mr. Duncan Smith in the party leadership contest. The Europhile, Mr. Kenneth Clarke, credited with a ``modernising'' agenda, is supported by only 24 per cent of his party activists who believe that his position on Europe might split the party. The poll in The Sunday Telegraph, whose own favourite contender also happens to be Mr. Duncan Smith, indicates that he has emerged unscathed from the controversy over his ``Griffin connection'' which, it was feared, could damage his chances. The ST poll, conducted as ``the row reached a peak'', shows that it had no impact on Tory voters - confirming, according to Tory critics, that the party rank-and-file remains deeply xenophobic.

Divisions in the party, meanwhile, deepened raising fears that many Tories might leave the party in case their favourite candidate is not elected. The Observer on Sunday quoted sources in the Clarke camp as saying that ``some Tories are likely to walk out in protest if he wins.'' Indeed, a leading Clarke supporter, Mr. Steve Norris said it would be a good thing if members who did not agree with Mr. Clarke's policies left as it would ``strengthen the unity of the party''. ``Clarke could just be an emetic, a purging agent which in many ways would be a good thing'', he told The Observer. Those who might leave the party were likely to join the U.K. Independence Party which stands for taking Britain out of Europe.

While Mr. Duncan Smith has been talking tough against racist groups since the controversy over Mr. Griffin erupted, his critics recall some of his old statements in Parliament which they allege have made him attractive to people opposed to immigration and asylum.

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Section  : International
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