Tory Candidates Pursue Alternative Euro-Agenda as Party Factionalism Deepens

Strategic Insights -

As the UK election campaign heads into its final week, Conservative candidates are openly defying Prime Minister John Major's hesitant stance on the EU, pursuing a twin-track campaign with an alternative pro-Europe agenda, while others are disengaging from the mainstream campaign altogether. The growing rift within the party is fueled by the perceived contradictions between Major's message and the party's long-held pro-EU stance. While some candidates are embracing the notion of a "multi-speed Europe" to pacify the party's Euro-sceptics, others are campaigning on a strong pro-Europe theme, stressing the benefits of Britain's involvement in the EU.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Conservative Party is deeply divided on the EU issue, with some candidates openly defying Prime Minister John Major's hesitant stance.
  • A 7,000-voter survey by Lord Inglewood's researchers in his constituency found that Euro-sceptical Tories were threatening to switch to the Liberal Democrats, traditionally the Europhobes of British politics.
  • Some Conservative candidates are pursuing a twin-track campaign with an alternative pro-Europe agenda, stressing the benefits of Britain's involvement in the EU.
  • The party's federal-ish MEPs are irked by the lack of attention being given to discontent among Liberal Democrats, who are capitalizing on the Conservative Party's divisions.
  • Some Conservative candidates, such as Michael Welsh and Margaret Daly, are undeterred by the party's divisions and are campaigning on a strong pro-Europe theme.
  • The Tory official quoted in the article expressed frustration and anger with the party's stance on the EU, stating that they are "staging such an about-turn that people are frankly baffled."

Statistics:

  • 7,000: the number of voters surveyed by Lord Inglewood's researchers in his constituency.
  • 1 per cent: The majority by which Lord Inglewood is defending in Cumbria and Lancashire North.
  • 12 per cent: The majority by which George Patterson is defending in Kent West.
  • 3 per cent: The majority by which Michael Welsh is defending in Lancashire Central.
  • 1989: The year in which Margaret Daly bucked the national trend in Somerset and North Devon by recording a swing to the Tories after ignoring her party's deeply sceptical campaign.

Sources:

  • The article does not include dates or publication information.
  • The researcher affiliated with Lord Inglewood.
  • An article from The Times of London.