The New Tory Leader!
Who will it be? Does it matter who it will be? Do we care who it will be? This is from the BBC News site:
David Cameron:
Shadow education secretary. Age: 38. Educated: Eton; Brasenose College, Oxford. Married, two children. Former adviser to Michael Howard & local government spokesman.
Young "moderniser" who believes his old-Tory style background will not get in the way of ambition to re-shape & update party.
Darling of so-called Notting Hill set of modernisers who see him as their version of Tony Blair & a leap into the future.
Ken Clarke:
On backbenches. Age: 65. Educated: Nottingham High School & Caius College, Cambridge. Married, two children. Former chancellor, home & health secretary.
A genuine "big beast" who has moved to temper Euro-enthusiasm to woo right-wingers opposed to his liberal, One Nation outlook.
Twice-defeated leadership contender seen by supporters as only contender who could maul Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and win next election but seen by others as yesterday's man.
David Davis:
Shadow home secretary. Age: 56. Educated: Bec Grammar School, Tooting; Warwick University; London & Harvard business schools. Married, two children. Ex-Europe minister and party chairman.
Right-wing, Eurosceptic and ex-SAS part-timer with tough council house upbringing that he hopes will help give credibility to vision of widening opportunity.
Bookies' favourite. Has the political toughness and support of right-wing, but can he win over left-wingers?
Liam Fox:
Shadow foreign secretary. Age: 43. Educated: St Bride's High School, East Kilbride; Glasgow university. Engaged. Ex-health spokesman and co-chairman of party.
Right-wing, fierce Eurosceptic with some radical ideas such as the "patients' passports" he pioneered as shadow health secretary.
Early career sometimes gaffe prone, but has become good frontbench performer. Has loyal but small following of MPs who believe he is their Tony Blair.
Andrew Lansley:
Shadow health secretary. Age: 48. Educated: Brentwood School; Exeter University. Married second wife in 2001, three children from first marriage.
Another moderniser, but Eurosceptic, who has called for party to return to the centre ground. Wants less confrontational politics.
Planned failed Conservative 2001 election campaign for William Hague, then backed Ken Clarke for leader. Seen as possible dark horse modernising candidate.
Theresa May:
Shadow family secretary. Age: 48. Educated: Wheatley Park Comprehensive School; St Hugh's College, Oxford. Married. Former Tory chairman, has held numerous shadow cabinet posts.
Another moderniser, famous for telling Conservatives they were seen as "nasty party". Has also called for more women candidates & focus on social welfare issues.
Popular figure with plenty of frontbench experience & record of modernisation. Seen as outsider but is only woman candidate, which could favour her.
Malcolm Rifkind:
Shadow work and pensions secretary. Age: 59. Educated: George Watson's College; Edinburgh University. Married, two children. Ex-defence and foreign secretary.
Another big hitter from party's left who has called for return to Edward Heath style One Nation Conservatism. Disagrees with Ken Clarke over Europe.
Was talked of as natural leadership material in previous Thatcher & Major governments, but may suffer in comparison to friend Ken Clarke.
David Willets:
Shadow trade and industry secretary. Age: 49. Educated: King Edward's School, Birmingham; Christ Church, Oxford. Married, two children. Ex-shadow education, employment, work and pensions secretary.
Leading moderniser who talks of beating Tony Blair on centre ground with radical policies offering better society than Labour.
Seen as outsider & possibly "too nice" to hold party together. His "two brains" nickname can work for & against him.
|
Linear Mode
