Some time ago it was reported that Francis Maude, Stephen Dorrell and Andrew Tyrie had tried to find one candidate around which 'Tory modernisers' could unite. Given today's large number of leadership contenders it is clear that their 'kingmaking' efforts failed.
Tim Yeo told last night's Westminster Hour that the search for one centrist candidate is still necessary. Agreeing that David Davis is the frontrunner, and implying that Mr Davis was 'of the right', Mr Yeo hoped that the crowded field of candidates would be thinned out to, perhaps, three by the start of the summer. This would present the party with a clearer choice, he thought.
Interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme about Mr Yeo's remarks, David Davis said that it was often difficult to know what right and left mean. He asked if Margaret Thatcher's 'Right-to-Buy' policy was right-wing or left-wing? The policy's emphasis on private property might be thought to be right-of-centre, he suggested, but its extension of ownership to low income families could be thought of as left-wing. The next leader, he concluded, should form a unity shadow cabinet of all of the talents.
The Shadow Home Secretary rejected any suggestion that his team was trying to destabilise the current leader and accelerate the leadership process. Michael Howard should choose his own time of departure, he concluded.
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