Bercow: Tory manifesto "embarrassingly thin"

Leading moderniser John Bercow has slammed Michael Howard's "repellent" focus on immigration in the Conservative election campaign.

As the fallout continues from last week's poll and the party begins to debate its future direction under a new leader, the former shadow international development spokesman used an article in Tuesday's Independent to offer a devastating analysis of the Tory campaign.

Meanwhile Lord Kalms, the Dixons president, Tory donor and former party treasurer has said "tomorrow would not be quick enough" for Howard to leave.

Following limited gains and a tiny improvement in the Conservative share of the vote, the Opposition chief said he will stand down once a new system for electing a leader has been agreed.

Although some grandees have called on him to say for longer, Lord Kalms said this would be unwise.

"There is nothing worse than a lame duck leader," Lord Kalms told the BBC.

"Michael has done a terrific job and tried very hard, but once you are gone, you are gone and the quicker you go the better. Every day is now a wasted day."

The party has also been forced to dismiss as speculation reports that shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin is set to stand down in order to resume his part-time work in the City.

'Embarrassing'

But it is Bercow's opinion, the most critical yet amongst the party's leading lights, which will dominate debate.

Modernisers believe the party needs to completely re-assess its outlook after three successive defeats.

"Tories can take little comfort from our election campaign, and even less from its result," the Buckingham MP said.

"In truth, the campaign was limited in scope, disciplined in execution and as successful as could be expected - ie. not very.

"Our vote share rose by only 0.5 per cent, but we were rewarded with 33 extra MPs. Yet the daunting fact is that we need to gain at least 140 seats to win a working majority next time.

"What was wrong with our campaign, and how should Conservatives fashion a different approach in the next four years?

"We have focused far too much on immigration, even though it is nowhere near top of voters' priorities. Repeatedly highlighting the issue seemed at best obsessive and at worst repellent.

"Calling Tony Blair a liar was extraordinarily unwise. It made us look nasty and played straight into Charles Kennedy's hands. It beggars belief that anyone could think that vulgar personal abuse of Tony Blair would make people decide to vote Tory.

"Our manifesto was embarrassingly thin. It offered neither a vision of Britain nor a programme for government."