Rifkind admits Tories are 'muttering' over Howard
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.Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former foreign secretary, has acknowledged that Michael Howard had a difficult time in Parliament last week and that Conservatives have begun to "mutter" about his leadership.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former foreign secretary, has acknowledged that Michael Howard had a difficult time in Parliament last week and that Conservatives have begun to "mutter" about his leadership.
The Tory candidate for Kensington and Chelsea, tipped as the next leader of his party, admitted in an interview with The Independent that Tony Blair performed better than Mr Howard in last week's debate on the Butler report.
"Inevitably if you have disappointing by-election results and Tony Blair does better than Michael Howard in some debate in the House of Commons then some people will mutter," Sir Malcolm said.Michael Portillo said yesterday that Mr Howard was like a cricketer who "had broken his bat". The party was "muttering" against him for having "messed up".
Lord Heseltine, the former deputy prime minister, warned Mr Howard that it would be a "suicide decision" to shift to the right. "The Tories can win only on the centre ground," he told BBC1's Breakfast with Frost.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments