UK News 06-10-2000 Hague Challenges Blair To Early Election who: William Hague what: Challenges government to hold election now where: Conservative Party Conference, BOURNEMOUTH when: Yesterday snippet: "William Hague taunted Tony Blair yesterday," reports The Telegraph, "calling his Government `arrogant and out of touch` and demanding an immediate election." Following a warm-up by comedian Jim Davidson, who mocked Tony Blair`s keynote at the Labour conference last month by appearing in a shirt soaked with sweat, Mr Hague gave a fifty minute speech. He "vowed to keep the Pound, tackle crime, improve schools and fight for families who have seen their cash swallowed by Labour stealth taxes," says Trevor Kavanagh in The Sun, commenting that "the parrot has come back from the dead - and given the Tories something to squawk about". "After years of disarray, the Tories appear to have refound their nerve," says The Economist. "Though he may not be loved by the public, Hague`s political talents are at last beginning to be appreciated by his party". "New Labour was not a philosophy, it was a fashion," he said, to loud cheers. "And nothing is more unfashionable than a fashion that`s out of fashion." The speech, which brought to an end the Conservative Party annual conference in Bournemouth, was "strong in its populist tone but conspicuously short on specific policies," says The Guardian`s political editor, Michael White. Mr Hague ignored the "£16bn worth of cuts would follow a Tory victory" but instead used the platform to mock senior ministers and abuse Tony Blair. And the speech "failed to ignite the party faithful" says Christopher Adams in The Financial Times. "Within seconds of the finish, despite a standing ovation, many representatives were filing out of the doors". [... more]

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