Michael Portillo Faces Crucial Test in Pre-Budget Response

Michael Portillo, the Tory Shadow Chancellor, faces his biggest test since returning to Parliament just under a year ago as he delivers the Conservative response to Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement. With the UK experiencing an economic boom in the run-up to a general election expected next May, Portillo's effectiveness in countering Brown's economic policies will be crucial in determining the fate of his own future within the party. His performance against a powerful opponent will be intensely scrutinized by his Conservative MPs, with supporters praying for a confident display and critics hoping he will stumble. The debate within the senior reaches of the party about Portillo's future has been raging since his Conservative conference speech, with Lady Thatcher and some Right-wingers questioning his sincerity about promoting a more "inclusive" style of Conservatism.

Key Takeaways:

• The effectiveness of Michael Portillo's response to Gordon Brown's pre-Budget statement may be a decisive factor in stopping or fuelling a whispering campaign against him.
• Portillo's performance will be intensely scrutinized by Conservative MPs, with supporters praying for a confident display and critics hoping he will be found wanting.
• Lady Thatcher believes Portillo has become "confused" and is questioning his sincere conversion to a more "caring" style of Conservatism.
• Leading Left-of-centre Conservative MPs are questioning the sincerity of Portillo's apparent conversion, with one saying he went from supporting Thatcher's administration to being transformed in "Damascus".
• Right-wingers are angry at Portillo's public campaign to portray the party as more inclusive on social policy issues, believing these are matters of conscience.
• Some within the party argue that Portillo should focus more on attacking Brown's economic policy and less on social conscience.
• Portillo's friends claim he has unsettled the Shadow Chancellor and is questioning his own long-term future in the party.

Sources:

• [Reference to Michael Portillo quoted in the article by an unnamed Conservative MP]
• [Reference to Lady Thatcher's comments]
• [Reference to Portillo's Conservative conference speech]
• [General article reference]

Statistics:

• None mentioned