Beyond the Bubble...
Howard set to lead Tories
Michael Howard, the shadow Chancellor, is set to stand unchallenged for the leadership of the Conservative Party when nominations close on Thursday. Iain Duncan Smith was forced to resign after losing a confidence vote by 90-75 last week, after two years in office.
Postal strike ends
An agreement between Royal Mail and the Communications Workers Union on Monday morning ended the widespread postal strikes, which had been rooted in disagreements over the treatment of Royal Mail employees and the suspension of a number of drivers.
Spain closes Gibraltar border
Diplomatic relations between Britain and Spain soured over Spain's 13-hour closure of its border with Gibraltar due to a virus-infected cruise liner, a move criticised as unnecessary by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
US: Iraq attacks continue; Bush's popularity falls
US opinion polls have reflected a sharp drop in President Bush's popularity following more US casualties in Iraq. A tank was bombed in Baghdad on Sunday, whilst in Fallujah a suicide bombing at a police station was followed by a missile attack on a US helicopter.
Anglican Communion due to Split
As predicted, Anglican Archbishops reacted with outrage to the consecration of Canon Gene Robinson, the world's first openly gay bishop in New Hampshire on Sunday. Many primates, mainly those from Africa and South America, but including Australia, refuse to recognise Robinson, some threatening to sever all ties with his diocese.
Whilst the Archbishop of Kenya claimed that "the devil has entered the church", his South African counterpart congratulated and welcomed Robinson.
regime in Afghanistan under threat
The UN has sent a delegation to bolster the ailing regime of Afghanistan leader Hamid Kanzai, whose authority has been undermined by the rise of powerful warlords.
Russia: Coal miners
rescued; Putin challenged
11 Russian coal miners were rescued after spending 6 days trapped underground in a collapsed shaft last week.
The country's leading oil magnate, Mikhail Khodorsky, has announced from prison that he is to quit business to launch a democratic political opposition to President Vladimir Putin.
And Finally...
Sunday's New York Marathon saw the legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, 59, and running companion Dr Mike Stroud, 49, succeed in their mission to run 7 marathons in 7 countries in 7 days.
Dr Michael Hart, Exeter Fellow and British poiitics specialist, muses on the Tory leadership... Despite the brutality with which Iain Duncan Smith was sacked, the Conservative grassroots were justified in their methods - they elected him, and their MPs removed him. Loyalty is clearly no longer at the core of the Conservative Party. Michael Howard will attempt to change his previous image of the 1990s. His comments in the past week suggest that he is intent on being a different Michael Howard to the one who served under John Major. The next year or so will reveal whether or not his image overhaul succeeds, but he has certainly not been a Tory "moderniser" up till now. It is doubtful that he will succeed in attracting any disillusioned Labour voters, though this may depend on the composition of his shadow cabinet. Kenneth Clarke is the best equipped person in the country to lead the party. However, party members didn't elect him on 2 previous occasions, and they wouldn't elect him now. Michael Portillo would have been another obvious candidate, but has been bruised twice.
Howard and Blair have in effect locked horns before now, when Howard was part of the government and Blair the leader of the opposition. This time around the roles are reversed, but the winner is very likely to be the same. It is almost impossible for the Conservatives to win the next election, no matter who leads them. Howard, however, should fare better than IDS in helping the party to make significant gains. He is clearer and more incisive than his predecessor. Howard will lead the Conservatives to defeat in a more combative way than IDS. At 62, he will probably retire following a graceful defeat. The change of leadership will be greeted with some dismay by the Labour Party, who saw IDS as an ideal opponent. Howard will be a far more forceful opponent. The Liberal Democrats will probably benefit marginally from the change, as more Labour voters might now vote tactically against the Conservatives.
30th Oct 2003