Menu
06/05/2005
Conservatives now 'stronger opposition' claims Howard
Conservative leader Michael Howard has conceded defeat to Tony Blair and the Labour party in the General Election.
Although announcing his intention to step down as Conservative party leader today, Mr Howard declared that the party was now a “stronger opposition” to Labour.
He said that, at 63, he felt he would be too old to lead the party in the next general election and wanted to stand aside “sooner rather than later” to let a younger leader take over.
Mr Howard will, however remain in charge of the party until a decision has been made as to whether or not the rules for electing a new leader should be changed.
The Conservatives had 197 seats, with a few seats still to be declared, following the election, which has been more successful for the party than recent polls had suggested. Although, it looks like the Conservatives will get 33% of the vote, they have gained more than 30 seats. In among those wins were high profile defeats of Labour ministers such as Stephen Twigg, who famously beat Michael Portillo in 1997 to win the Enfield Southgate seat, Chris Leslie in Shipley and Melanie Johnson in Welwyn Hatfield.
The Conservatives also enjoyed huge success in London – aside from Enfield Southgate, Justine Greening regained the seat in Putney and the party also regained seats in Croydon Central and Wimbledon and Hammersmith and Fulham, from Labour. The Conservatives also achieved several victories over the Liberal Democrats, taking seats in Guildford, Ludlow, Newbury and Weston-super-Mare.
The Liberal Democrats had mounted a strong campaign to unseat several of the Conservatives main members. The “decapitation strategy”, however, failed to work with Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis and Shadow Family Secretary Theresa May all retaining their seats. The only casualty was Shadow Education Secretary Tim Collins, who lost his seat in Westmoreland and Lonsdale to Lib Dem Tim Farron.
The Conservatives were also celebrating the election of their first-ever black MP with Adam Afriye taking the Windsor seat.
Speaking after he was returned as MP for Folkestone and Hythe, Mr Howard said that the Conservatives had made a “significant step” towards recovery in the election. He said: “The test that faces us in the next Parliament is to complete that recovery.”
Mr Howard added: “I’m proud of the campaign we’ve fought. We’ve taken a stand on things that matter to our country.”
Mr Howard also congratulated Tony Blair on Labour’s election win, although he warned him that the time had come for “action and not talk”.
(KMcA/SP)
Although announcing his intention to step down as Conservative party leader today, Mr Howard declared that the party was now a “stronger opposition” to Labour.
He said that, at 63, he felt he would be too old to lead the party in the next general election and wanted to stand aside “sooner rather than later” to let a younger leader take over.
Mr Howard will, however remain in charge of the party until a decision has been made as to whether or not the rules for electing a new leader should be changed.
The Conservatives had 197 seats, with a few seats still to be declared, following the election, which has been more successful for the party than recent polls had suggested. Although, it looks like the Conservatives will get 33% of the vote, they have gained more than 30 seats. In among those wins were high profile defeats of Labour ministers such as Stephen Twigg, who famously beat Michael Portillo in 1997 to win the Enfield Southgate seat, Chris Leslie in Shipley and Melanie Johnson in Welwyn Hatfield.
The Conservatives also enjoyed huge success in London – aside from Enfield Southgate, Justine Greening regained the seat in Putney and the party also regained seats in Croydon Central and Wimbledon and Hammersmith and Fulham, from Labour. The Conservatives also achieved several victories over the Liberal Democrats, taking seats in Guildford, Ludlow, Newbury and Weston-super-Mare.
The Liberal Democrats had mounted a strong campaign to unseat several of the Conservatives main members. The “decapitation strategy”, however, failed to work with Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis and Shadow Family Secretary Theresa May all retaining their seats. The only casualty was Shadow Education Secretary Tim Collins, who lost his seat in Westmoreland and Lonsdale to Lib Dem Tim Farron.
The Conservatives were also celebrating the election of their first-ever black MP with Adam Afriye taking the Windsor seat.
Speaking after he was returned as MP for Folkestone and Hythe, Mr Howard said that the Conservatives had made a “significant step” towards recovery in the election. He said: “The test that faces us in the next Parliament is to complete that recovery.”
Mr Howard added: “I’m proud of the campaign we’ve fought. We’ve taken a stand on things that matter to our country.”
Mr Howard also congratulated Tony Blair on Labour’s election win, although he warned him that the time had come for “action and not talk”.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 May 2007
Election drubbing for Labour
Labour has experienced huge losses in England and Wales, and the SNP has made inroads in Scotland in Thursday's elections. As counting continued on Friday, revealing a Labour slide, in spite of the losses Prime Minister Tony Blair was defiant that Labour had a "good springboard" for a General Election.
Election drubbing for Labour
Labour has experienced huge losses in England and Wales, and the SNP has made inroads in Scotland in Thursday's elections. As counting continued on Friday, revealing a Labour slide, in spite of the losses Prime Minister Tony Blair was defiant that Labour had a "good springboard" for a General Election.
06 May 2005
Labour makes history by securing third term
Labour has won a historic third term in the General Election, but will return to government with a substantially reduced majority. It is being predicted that the government will only have a majority of between 60- 70, a drastic drop of around 100 from the last election.
Labour makes history by securing third term
Labour has won a historic third term in the General Election, but will return to government with a substantially reduced majority. It is being predicted that the government will only have a majority of between 60- 70, a drastic drop of around 100 from the last election.
08 May 2015
Conservatives Secure Majority Vote
The Conservatives have gained the 326 seats needed to secure a majority in the Commons, having made gains in England and Wales. In total, the party secured 331 of 650 seats. Labour is the next largest party with 232 seats, then the SNP with 56. For the Liberal Democrats, they have lost 46 seats, to leave them with just eight Westminster seats.
Conservatives Secure Majority Vote
The Conservatives have gained the 326 seats needed to secure a majority in the Commons, having made gains in England and Wales. In total, the party secured 331 of 650 seats. Labour is the next largest party with 232 seats, then the SNP with 56. For the Liberal Democrats, they have lost 46 seats, to leave them with just eight Westminster seats.
06 April 2005
Party leaders clash in Commons
There were reportedly 'rowdy' scenes in the House of Commons today as the leaders of the three main political parties clashed during the final Prime Minister's Question Time. Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed that Labour was the party of "economic competence and accused the Conservatives of "running away" from the issue.
Party leaders clash in Commons
There were reportedly 'rowdy' scenes in the House of Commons today as the leaders of the three main political parties clashed during the final Prime Minister's Question Time. Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed that Labour was the party of "economic competence and accused the Conservatives of "running away" from the issue.
16 July 2004
Lib Dem leader hails by-election victory
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has hailed his party's performance in the by-elections as a substantial victory which has left Labour licking its wounds. The Lib Dems showed an upsurge in support at two seats in the Midlands, winning one in Leicester South, and coming a close second to Labour in Birmingham Hodge Hill.
Lib Dem leader hails by-election victory
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has hailed his party's performance in the by-elections as a substantial victory which has left Labour licking its wounds. The Lib Dems showed an upsurge in support at two seats in the Midlands, winning one in Leicester South, and coming a close second to Labour in Birmingham Hodge Hill.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
