Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Hague: I'm Maggie II

Paul Routledge
Sunday 29 March 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

WILLIAM Hague took on the mantle of Lady Thatcher's leadership style yesterday, after securing overwhelming backing for his reforms of the Tory Party, writes Paul Routledge.

Party members voted by 110,165 votes to 4,425 in favour of endorsing changes that will give the Tories one member, one vote in selecting their leader and would-be MPs, plus a new disciplinary and ethics machinery to stamp out sleaze.

The result was described as "a fairly conclusive outcome" by Lord Parkinson, the party chairman, at the Conservative Central Council in Harrogate, where Tory activists applauded Mr Hague's portrayal of himself as the successor to Lady Thatcher.

"She won through because she made people see that she was determined; she won through because people won't push when there are no rewards to pushing. She did what she was elected to, what she was paid to do. She led. So will I."

However, the Tory leader left open the possibility of changing the party's hardline stance on Europe.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in