Major gives Howard the thumbs up
Former Tory prime minister John Major yesterday said his party could win the next general election under Michael Howard.
Mr Howard offered the country a “very high quality politician” and a “genuine alternative prime minister,” he said.
“I think he is a real match for Tony Blair,” Mr Major added.
In an interview on BBC One’s Breakfast with Frost programme, Mr Major said: “We can win this election. Nobody should write this election off.”
Mr Major said the opposition must work hard to expose Labour’s poor record on public service reform.
“If you look at the support that the Labour Party had for a long time it was a mile wide but half an inch deep.
“If you look at the government dispassionately they have been there since 1997 with a huge majority and therefore capable of introducing whatever they wish.
“They inherited the best performing economy any incoming government has inherited in the last 50 years.
“So they had a good economy, a clear parliamentary majority and I think one now has to look at the outcome.
“Is health better? I think not. Is education better? I think not. Is transport better? I think not.”
On the manner of Iain Duncan Smith’s departure, Mr Major said he felt sorry for the way he lost the party’s confidence.
“He had a very tough time over the last few weeks. On a human level, it would be impossible not to feel sorry for the difficulties that he faced,” he said.
A new poll has put Labour ahead of the Tories, despite Michael Howard’s recent takeover of the official opposition’s leadership.
A YouGov survey for The Sunday Times saw the Tories’ lead cut by two points from 38 per cent last month.
Labour rocketed up six points to 39 per cent, giving the party its highest rating since April.
The Liberal Democrats slumped down two points to 20 per cent.
But there was good news for Michael Howard. Voters thought he would be a good leader by almost three to one, 47 per cent to 17 per cent.
Mr Howard was considered more popular among male voters than women. Fifty one per cent and forty four per cent respectively said he would do a good job.
YouGov asked 1,934 adults online for their responses on November 13-14.
