04.01.1996

Tories thrown into panic

THE defection of Tory MP Emma Nicholson to the Liberal Democrats has certainly put the cat among the pigeons. John Major has had to interrupt his holiday break in order to hold “crisis talks”.

It is hardly surprising. The Tories are, it has to be said, in a bit of mess. Their parliamentary majority is down to five already - with two by-elections ominously looming.

If that were not bad enough, the local elections in May will almost certainly turn out to be disastrous for the Tories.

Nicholson jumped ship because the Tory Party has “lurched to the right” - especially when it comes to Europe, one of Nicholson’s ‘passions’. Michael Portillo, one of the objects of her scorn, has denounced her views as “very silly” and “completely incredible”.

It almost goes without saying that the Tory Party has indeed “lurched to the right” - whether it be on Europe, welfare, education, immigration, or in their mania for more and more privatisation. Major’s top priority is keeping the support of rightwing bigots like Portillo and wooing the Ulster unionists.

Tony Blair must be rubbing his hands at this moment, tasting the victory to come. But the Tories’ problems stem from their inability to give convincing solutions to society’s problems. With Labour almost perfectly echoing the Tory rhetoric we can expect Tony Blair to sink into the mire as soon as he is tested. We must be ready for Blair - whenever it finally becomes his time to do the bosses’ bidding.