Tory Right's Disappointment with Michael Portillo

The leadership poll's decisive victory by John Major has significantly tarnished Michael Portillo's standing as champion of the Tory Right. Rightwingers, led by John Redwood, were disappointed with Portillo's lack of personal warmth and his seeming disinterest in the contest. Portillo's failure to rally the core right-wing vote, estimated to be around 130 to 140 MPs, contributed to the Right's defeat. Some members feared an election and a defeat at the hands of Tony Blair, while others were terrified of a "bloodbath" between the Right and Left.

Key Takeaways:

• Michael Portillo's standing as champion of the Tory Right has been severely tarnished by John Major's victory.
• Personal warmth between Mr Portillo and Mr Redwood contributed to the Right's failure to muster all its forces.
• The core right-wing vote, estimated to be around 130 to 140 MPs, wilted in the heat of the battle.
• A sizeable number of right-wing MPs supported John Redwood, but a significant minority stood by John Major.
• Rightwingers feared an election and a defeat at the hands of Tony Blair, leading to some abstaining from the vote.
• The Right perceived itself as being outmanoeuvred by the party establishment.
• Some right-wing MPs prefer being led by their "blue chip" elders and betters rather than taking charge themselves.

Statistics:

• The core right-wing vote is estimated to be around 130 to 140 MPs.
• 89 votes were received by John Redwood.
• 40 lines were installed by BT engineers at Michael Portillo's unofficial leadership campaign headquarters at 11 Lord North Street.

Sources:

• THE TORY RIGHT. MICHAEL PORTILLO'S standing as champion of the Tory Right has been severely tarnished by John Major's decisive victory in THE TIMES, 1995.