Bercow: Seeking progressive policies

Former frontbencher John Bercow has launched a stinging attack on Michael Howard's leadership of the Conservatives.

The Buckingham MP slammed the Tory chief in a newspaper interview on Monday over Iraq and the failure to move towards the "progressive centre" of British politics.

Bercow, who resigned from Howard's shadow ministerial team in September after being moved from the international development brief, said the party was drifting towards shoring up only its core supporters.

On Iraq he said Howard had "been seen as opportunistic" by changing his stance on the war in the light of intelligence failures.

"I don't agree with Michael and I think it was a mistake, although I am sure that is what he believes," he told the Independent.

"I believe the prime minister has been honest about the war and that he has displayed courage, vision and statesmanship.

"As for Michael's position, I do not think you can pile up votes from every category of the disaffected. The anti-war vote will not turn to the Conservative Party."

Tax

Having moved himself from the right of the party to its modernising wing, Bercow called for a rethink over Tory tax policy.

"I don't meet people even in Conservative areas who tell me their main priority is tax cuts and I certainly do not meet many people who tell me their main priority is a cut in inheritance tax," he said.

"We have to spend a lot more time thinking about people who don't vote Conservative. The Conservatives have to be a progressive modern political party, capable of appealing to people in all walks of life in all parts of the country.

"At present, the Conservatives' biggest problem is that our support is disproportionately concentrated in rural areas and shire counties.

"We have to be as preoccupied by health, education, transport, pensions and family policy as the public are. But even now we give the impression of being much more excited when we discuss Europe, immigration and tax cuts."

He also refused to answer questions over whether he might defect to the Labour Party, although he did say he agreed with Tony Blair and Alan Milburn on the future of public services.

"I am working for a modern, progressive Conservative Party," he said, adding that he will continue to back the party if it moves "very quickly" to the centre ground.