Rifkind: Tories must decide on direction
The Conservative party must now decide between a right wing and a ‘one nation’ direction, leadership hopeful Sir Malcolm Rifkind has said.
The former foreign secretary insisted that he would be the man for the top job should the party choose a ‘one nation’ path.
“I think that the big issue facing the Conservative party is what kind of party is wants to be and what its priorities are going to be,” Sir Malcolm told Today on Monday.
“I represent the one nation tradition of Conservatism, and if the Conservative party believes that that is the way to go, by which I mean social justice, a concentration on the public services and a belief that responsibility is as important as personal freedom, then it is important that it chooses a leader consistent with these ideals.”
Sir Malcolm also said it was important for the Tories to choose a leader and a shadow cabinet that would be seen as a credible alternative government.
The party must not think of choosing a leader of the opposition, he said. “If you chose a leader of the opposition, that is what you will end up with.”
Last week, the 59-year-old stressed he was not too old to lead the party, emphasising his “vitality and energy”.
David Davis is the front runner on the right of the party, while David Cameron is currently the favourite on the ‘modernising’ wing – although former chancellor Kenneth Clarke is likely to draw a lot of support.
David Willetts, Dr Liam Fox, Theresa May and Andrew Lansley remain candidates but Tim Yeo has pulled out of the running.
