Howard will stand down as leader

[ps1074]

Tory leader Michael Howard will stand down "sooner rather than later" to allow a younger leader to take over.

Mr Howard said he would stay as leader until the party had the opportunity to consider whether it wanted to change the rules for electing a successor.

He said the party could "hold its head up high" after its performance in the general election.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4521941.stm

[Jacobin]

1. All the increase was due to protest votes against the War

[ProudToBeLiberal]

4. but the tories were for the war

logically more votes should of gone to the Liberal Dems.

[Jacobin]

5. The tories are against further immigration

LibDems are not.

Got that xenophobia thing going, and many were interviewed on BBC last night who said they were Labour, but they were sending Blair a message.

[D-Notice]

8. More votes did go to the Lib Dems.

The Tories had no overall change in the amount of votes they got. But Lib Dem voters weren't tactically voting for Labour candidates this time, but voting for Lib Dem candidates & so the Tories gained seats.

[SweetLeftFoot]

2. Back to thy crypt, Nosferatu!

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. I hope Tony follows his example

[Jack Rabbit]

6. Guardian Utd (Friday): Howard to stand down as Tory leader

From the Guardian Unlimited (UK)
Dated Friday May 6

Howard to stand down as Tory leader
By Tom Happold

Michael Howard today announced he will stand down as Conservative leader, despite widespread calls for him to stay on during a crucial time for the party.

Despite a Tory tally of fewer than 200 seats - on only 33% of the vote - Mr Howard last night told supporters in his Folkestone and Hythe constituency that the result marked a "real advance towards our recovery".

"The task which faces us in the next parliament is to complete that recovery and it is a task I am sure everyone in the Conservative party will address with real relish," he said.

This morning Mr Howard nonetheless told supporters at the Tories' Westminster headquarters that he was planning to stand down after failing to deliver on his promise to secure a Tory victory.

Read more.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

7. Who was the first person

before William Hague to be leader of the Conservative party, but never Prime Minister? It was someone quite a long time ago, wasn't it?

[emad]

9. Howard will stand down as leader: BBC

BBC


Tory leader Michael Howard will stand down "sooner rather than later" to allow a younger leader to take over.

Mr Howard said he would stay as leader until the party had the opportunity to consider whether it wanted to change the rules for electing a successor.

With few seats undeclared, Labour are on 353, down 47, the Tories on 197, up 31, and the Lib Dems on 62, up 10.

Mr Howard said the party's results and campaign meant that it could now "hold its head up high".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/vote_2005/frontpage/4521941.stm

[moggie]

10. Grrr!

"Hold its head up high", eh? After a campaign which viciously played the race card at every opportunity? The only reason I'd like you to hold your head up high, Mikey, is so that it'll be easier to string you up.

[emad]

11. Having called Blair out as a liar, he has to fall on his sword now.

Brits have now failed to elect a bald Tory leader three in a row.

[GregW]

12. Damn!

I thought you were announcing John Howard (Australia) was stepping down :(