I've got solid support, says Tory hopeful Davis

Last updated at 13:57 17 July 2005


Conservative leadership front-runner David Davis has predicted he will get "very solid support" from fellow MPs.

The shadow home secretary has long been thought to command a strong following among ordinary grassroots members.

But supporters fear reforms restoring the final say to the Parliamentary Party will hamper his chances.

Mr Davis, who has yet to formally declare himself

as a candidate, shrugged off reports that former leader William Hague will endorse rival right-winger Liam Fox.

"The simple truth of the matter is what will matter is who gets the majority of the Parliamentary Party, something no candidate did in the last election we had," he said.

"All of them had a third each and that is very important for the stability of the party.

"The important thing is to get very solid support in the Parliamentary Party and also, frankly, solid support in the country and I think I will be able to do that."

Mr Davis told BBC News 24: "I will be very surprised if any of the recent party leaders come out in favour of anybody in truth.

"I have seen stories of all sorts - different people backing different candidates. I think I have seen William listed as backing two different candidates at different times. I think most of them are just gossip."

Mr Davis said the fresh by-election defeat underlined the need for the party to raise its game.

'Debate really matters'

The Liberal Democrat majority was cut in Cheadle this week but Conservatives failed to win back the once true-blue seat.

"Nobody should pretend Cheadle is a good result," the shadow home secretary said.

"It is one we were hoping to do much better than and we are going to have to do much better than if we are going to make a government in the near future."

It was "too long ago" since the party won a Parliamentary by-election, he continued.

"There is no doubt about that. People talk about the Conservative Party has to change. It has to change into a winning party again," he said.

"Now, the first step in the last election and under Michael's leadership as we won 37 seats in the last election. it was not good enough."

Potential leadership rival David Willetts agreed the defeat underlined the need for improvement.

"It's no secret that the Conservative Party has a problem winning elections," the shadow trade secretary told The Observer.

"That's why the debate we are having about our future really matters.

"It's all about how we get the party back on track so we're in the mainstream of political life."

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