Of all Britain's newspapers The Sun is arguably the most Eurosceptic and hawkish on Iraq. It probably explains today's leader which argues that electing Ken Clarke would be a "disaster". The Sun is undecided between the other candidates, however. That indecision is echoed in The Daily Mail which also offers a 'on the one hand and on the other hand' editorial (although it remains open to a Clarke leadership). Here is what the two newspapers say about the three candidates acceptable to Mr Murdoch's redtop:
David Cameron is, for The Sun, "the new golden boy and could provide the breakthrough the Tories need, but has he got depth to match the gloss?" The Mail notes that Mr Cameron has gone from an unknown to favourite because of the "almost surreal X-Factor volatility of modern British public sentiment". It notes that Mr Cameron's "real world credentials are limited to being communications director of Carlton TV during the years its share price halved and to his directorship of a company running late-night clubs". And yet, notes The Mail, David William Donald Cameron "seems to possess stardust". Whilst the other candidates may remind people of why they dislike the Tories, David Cameron is viewed as "fresh and attractive".
The Sun notes that David Davis "may be a duller character but it is his experience and solid policies that have kept him in front all summer. He has proved he is tough. But is he voter-friendly enough?" The Mail warns David Davis' rivals not to underestimate his "ferocious hunger to win". "As the child of a lone parent," the Mail notes, "raised on a sink estate, his personal credentials for a modern, socially sympathetic Tory philosophy of self-reliance are impeccable - yet he has struggled to find the language or inspiration to articulate his vision."
Liam Fox "has been the surprise package" for The Sun: "An attractive personality and plenty of ideas. But has he got the clout needed to unite and lead the party?" The Mail pays tribute to Dr Fox for delivering the most wide-ranging contribution to the Blackpool conference but it wonders whether he has sufficient charisma to appeal to the wider electorate.
Doesnt suprize me at all that the papers arent coming out with the candidate they back. They'll wait till the last round then call it the day before the vote, picking the favourite so that when the winner does want to talk to people, they come to that paper.
Posted by: James Maskell | 18 October 2005 at 15:46