UK News 07-10-2003 Tory Plan For US-style Sheriffs who: Shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin what: Unveils plan for elected regional police chiefs where: BLACKPOOL when: Today snippet: "Police chiefs would be made democratically accountable in England and Wales under plans to be released by the Conservative Party today," says The Scotsman, "which would divide 43 police forces into scores of smaller units." "Under the scheme, the home secretary would stripped of most of his powers to control police forces` priorities," says the BBC, "in an attempt to give people a bigger say on policing on their local streets." The proposal comes on day two of the Party`s annual conference in Blackpool where leader Iain Duncan Smith continues to face public criticism by MPs and grassroots activists, says The Independent. "Two former cabinet ministers on the Tory left, Kenneth Clarke and Stephen Dorrell, added to the pressure on Mr Duncan Smith by making critical speeches at fringe meetings." Mr Clarke says he doesn`t know what the Tories` policies are and Mr Dorrell accused the Party of being cut off from urban voters. "Our position is incoherent, our opposition unprincipled and, above all, our approach and demeanour are unappealing and incomprehensible to the electorate," says Tory backbencher Nick Gibb in The Guardian. [... more]

What The Papers Say is delivered to thousands of readers every morning by web, WAP and email. Sign up today!