The Tory lead was brief and soon evaporated, though in one poll the Tories dropped to only two points behind Labour, a significant improvement over recent times. Whether this dissatisfaction can overshadow Labour's achievement in running a still-robust economy remains questionable. The party faithful, who admire Hague's toughness through years of savage criticism, are now rallying behind him. But Hague has yet to sell himself and his relatively unknown shadow cabinet to the wider public. In his Bournemouth speech, Hague sought to dispel those doubts and rebut Labour claims that the Tories have gone way off to the right.
Nothing is more unfashionable than a fashion which is out of fashion.
Whether Hague can win over the country by May is doubtful. But at least the Tories look as though they may become an opposition worth some attention. After 13 years of rule, the tyrant who haunted Europe is ejected by a furious Serbian revolution. 2001 Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.