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Howard's way on voting
Saturday November 1, 2003 The Guardian Letters Column The Tory leadership process is remarkable for more than the personality of the heir apparent (Howard promises return to centre, October 31). For decades now, observers have bemoaned the widening gulf between grassroots and leaders of all mainstream parties and advocated the need to "reconnect" with the base. The implicit model is one of "representation" of pre-existing ideals and interests. Parties exist to put them forward, and, in government, to enact corresponding measures. This model is in tatters. Tory MPs are desperate not to allow the grassroots a say in the choice of leader. It seems the parliamentary party is sacking its most ardent supporters rather than, as might have happened in the past, the reverse. Westminster Conservatives have realised - learning a lesson from New
Labour - that the modern party does not "represent". On the contrary, it
exists to elaborate a cocktail of policies which are then "marketed" to the
public. There is, of course, a price for this - including near complete
dependency on the media to promote policies - but that becomes apparent only
later. Middle-aged, middle-class, white male gets top job. "The trailblazer"
(G2, October 31)? I don't think so. |