Heseltine writes off Tory chances at next election

9.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Aug 2005

Heseltine writes off Tory chances at next election

Conservative dreams of winning the next election are doomed, according to party grandee Michael Heseltine. In an article headed "Heseltine: Tories are set to fail at next election", the London Evening Standard have reported comments by the former Conservative Deputy Prime Minister on Radio 4's Today programme, saying: "Michael Heseltine today wrote off Tory chances of winning the next election. In a devastating intervention, he warned candidates for the party leadership that they were unlikely to become prime minister."

Eight years after losing office the Conservatives are still damaged goods, with falling poll ratings and no clear direction. An election campaign fought on fear has turned into a summer of infighting between opposing factions. No-one seriously believes they are a Government in waiting. They are a deeply divided party, turned inward on themselves, offering nothing to the British people.