Hi,
Title says it all really. What if Michael Portillo had realised he was in trouble in the run-up to the 1997 UK General Election? He fights a better local campaign, enabling him to keep his seat in parliament (though all the other results are unchanged, meaning Blair has a majority of 177).
I imagine he stands in the leadership election after Major's resignation? If so, I think Hague and possibly Howard, would stand aside, leaving Clark as Portillo's only aponent. Major would probably favour Clark in these circumstances for obvious reasons, but I'd imagine Portillo is elected Tory leader without much diffeculty.
My question is, how does Portillo do as leader from 1997 to 2001, compared to Hague in OTL? Who's in Portillo's shaddow cabenet?
I can't see any reason why Blair wouldn't still win in 2001, but would Portillo do any better than Hague? Would he stay on past the 2001 defeat and if not, who takes over the conservative leadership?
Title says it all really. What if Michael Portillo had realised he was in trouble in the run-up to the 1997 UK General Election? He fights a better local campaign, enabling him to keep his seat in parliament (though all the other results are unchanged, meaning Blair has a majority of 177).
I imagine he stands in the leadership election after Major's resignation? If so, I think Hague and possibly Howard, would stand aside, leaving Clark as Portillo's only aponent. Major would probably favour Clark in these circumstances for obvious reasons, but I'd imagine Portillo is elected Tory leader without much diffeculty.
My question is, how does Portillo do as leader from 1997 to 2001, compared to Hague in OTL? Who's in Portillo's shaddow cabenet?
I can't see any reason why Blair wouldn't still win in 2001, but would Portillo do any better than Hague? Would he stay on past the 2001 defeat and if not, who takes over the conservative leadership?