Watlington, the Social Affairs Unit blogger with a lot of insider knowledge, examines the qualities of the various' contenders' inner staff teams. Watlington argues that "having an iron will, a sense of destiny, and determination are important... but even more essential is an ability to appoint brilliant and able people to your inner staff that can be relied on to carry out the necessary tasks and give vital advice to the Leader." Poor staff choices helped to scuttle IDS' leadership and, Watlington suggests, an exceptional staff team engineered Margaret Thatcher's successful 1975 Tory leadership. Watlington notes how Mrs T enjoyed little popular support in her challenge to Ted Heath but the staff team put together by Airey Neave propelled her to victory.
Examining each staff team one-by-one, Watlington is excoriating about Malcolm Rifkind's outfit and suggests that Liam Fox has (by a nose) the strongest leadership team. Watlington pays particular tribute to Bill Clare, Dr Fox's chief of staff:
"Mr Fox probably has the most qualified Chief of Staff, Bill Clare. Mr Fox met Mr Clare during his stint at the Foreign Office (Mr Clare was a Civil Servant) and Mr Clare has worked for Mr Fox ever since. Highly experienced, Bill Clare has worked overseas and under Alastair Campbell and is highly accomplished in working with the media."
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