Conservative Party Conference begins

4.17.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 3rd Oct 2005

Conservative Party Conference begins

Today saw the start of the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool. Although they won a number of seats at the General Election, the success was very limited increasing their share of the vote by under 1%. Conference will be dominated by the five-way fight to replace Michael Howard as Leader.

The Conservatives always think a new leader will solve their problems - but it didn't with Hague, Duncan Smith or Howard. Whoever they elect, changing the leader won't solve the Conservative Party's problems. Their problems are their policies, and the party itself. Whoever becomes leader, they remain split down the middle, and out of touch with the public, leaving the Liberal Democrats as the only effective opposition.