David Davis' speech was loyal and solid - much better than last year - but William Hague's speech was in a higher league and received rapt attention.
The speech was impressive on many levels but the jokes are particularly worthy of being highlighted:
Speaking after bald Swedish leader Fredrik Reinfeldt had spoken via video to conference: "Well, there we are: a centre-right leader who's changed his party, appealed to his country and defeated a left wing government in power for three terms."
"Our leadership election was so successful that both the other parties wanted one too. Now Labour's never ends, and the Lib Dems wish they'd never had one."
"It is one of my great privileges to ask parliamentary questions of our Deputy Prime Minister. Sometimes I think I should thank him for the joy he brings in to our lives. I am ever so polite to him. Partly because nothing makes him crosser. It's not difficult to make him cross. Every day he wakes up angry and goes to bed furious. When we discussed the Olympics I asked him if he might put forward a new sport for Beijing - croquet. I even reminded him of Rule 1c of Oxford Croquet, which says that when you have scored a certain number of times you are declared to be 'pegged out' and have to be removed from the game."
Very impressive set of speeches so far. Clear indication that the Tories have identified Pensions as the major source of attack on Gordon.
Posted by: greg | October 01, 2006 at 03:57 PM
The problem with that though is that we need to come up with proposals which arent the same, or even similar. Distinct policies are hard to find these days.
Posted by: James Maskell | October 01, 2006 at 04:11 PM
That's a different issue. To some extent what's done is done and everyone is going to have to look forward to poorer pension provision (or longer working) than they might have been hoping for. But that doesn't mean that for a certain section of the population it won't be possible to lay a lot of the blame at Gordon's door.
Posted by: greg | October 01, 2006 at 04:23 PM
Hague's always brilliant at demolishing opponents. He's yet to prove himself as a political leader though who can broker tough decisions. Funny how those who write it or teach it, usually can't do it. He should have stood up to the europhiles and pushed through the EPP exit this year, but falling out with Clarke and Heseltine wouldn't be Hague's style. Europe must wait three more years for a semblance of democracy in the EP. I hope Hague shows more fight next time the future sits on his shoulders.
Posted by: Tapestry | October 01, 2006 at 04:57 PM
Did he mention the 'Movement for European Reform@ which he is supposed to launch at conference or will this whither on the vine along with conservative policies?
Posted by: michael mcgough | October 01, 2006 at 05:43 PM
I think you will have to wait forever, Tapestry, for Hague to show real political fight. He reminds of the old Naval aphorism: ""Nice chap. Bloody useless."
Posted by: John Coles | October 01, 2006 at 08:02 PM
John Coles, Hague's a nice chap and as much treacherous as useless...or if you're feeling charitable naive. I'm not (feeling charitable).
The MER is only a ploy to try to head off pressure for exiting the EPP. Hague Fudge again. Keep £ one Parliament etc etc etc
Posted by: tapestry | October 07, 2006 at 05:08 PM
Watching political shows is the favorite pastime of all young and old as they sure are becoming like comedy shows.
Posted by: cheap laptops canada | May 12, 2010 at 07:31 PM