c o n s e r v a t i v e h o m e . c o m

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS COULD HAVE DONE BETTER

LORD DAVID STEEL, The Independent

For the Liberal Democrats, cheer at the record 61 seats (and I write as one who sat for a while in a Commons party of just six) must be tempered by recognition that the net gains were largely at Labour's expense and we did not do as well as hoped against the Conservatives. In my view it was a mistake to allow the rather silly media phrase of "decapitation strategy" to take hold since it jarred with the tone of Charles Kennedy's excellent approach, as did sending him into Mr Howard's own seat. The demise of the Cocky Collins in Westmorland was especially pleasing.

Britain is going in the wrong direction. We need to change course.

A reflection on yesterday's publication of the Tory manifesto.

Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith
12 April 2005

> Flight to the internet: open discussion and the world wide web

Tim Montgomerie, editor of conservativehome.com
01 April 2005

COMMENT: Four million fewer people voted Labour in 2005, than in 1997

Charles Moore | D Tel | 07 May

LEADING ARTICLE: A new generation of Tory MPs must point the way to Tories becoming a majority party

D Tel | 07 May

NEWS: David Trimble loses seat as Northern Ireland politics polarises

Sky News | 06 May

NEWS: Michael Howard to step down as leader once leadership election rules have been reviewed

Sky News | 06 May

DATA: List of Tory gains and losses

BBC Online | 06 May

COMMENT: When will Gordon Brown take over?

The Economist | 06 May

COMMENT: None of the political parties can treat the result as a triumph

Philip Webster | Times | 06 May

NEWS: Michael Howard claims significant steps towards recovery

D Tel | 06 May

LEADING ARTICLE: Vote Conservative for small government

D Tel | 05 May

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