Tory move to soften right wing image

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON, APRIL 17. All Tory candidates for the upcoming general elections have been cautioned by the party leadership not to use provocative or divisive language in their campaign speeches. This follows widespread criticism of the party's attempt to play on racial prejudices in the run-up to the elections. In recent weeks, several prominent Tory figures, including the party chief, Mr. William Hague, have drawn flak for making controversial remarks relating to immigration and asylum.

In what is seen as a sign of worry among the moderate Tories who are trying to soften the party's right-wing image and broaden its appeal, the Tory Chairman, Mr. Michael Ancram, has written to every prospective party candidate telling them ``to avoid using language which is likely to generate racial or religious hatred.'' He has stressed the party's commitment to a multicultural Britain saying:``We believe in a Britain where what matters is your talent and effort, not the colour of your skin or your religion or who your parents were.''

The Independent, which reported passages from Mr. Ancram's ``confidential memo'' said it was written soon after the controversy over the retiring Tory MP, Mr. John Townend's statement blaming the rising crime on immigrants and accusing them of ``undermining Britain's Anglo-Saxon society.'' The statement had prompted demands that the party take disciplinary action against Mr. Townend. Earlier, Mr. Hague had provoked a storm when he told his party's spring conference that Britain was in danger of becoming a ``foreign land'' because of Labour's soft policy on asylum and Europe.

Remarks such as those made by Mr. Townend are in conflict with Mr. Hague's promise to the Commission for Racial Equality that his party would not do anything that might inflame racial sentiment. Alongwith other parties he has signed a pledge to promote good race relations. Mr. Ancram's letter is seen to reflect fear that unrestrained rhetoric on racially sensitive issues might cause the party to fall foul of the Commission for Racial Equality, and further damage its already poor electoral prospects. The Opposition, however, has seized on Mr. Ancram's letter to claim that it actually confirm ``latent racism'' in the Conservative Party. It is being described as a evidence of ``lace curtain racism'' among the Tories. Even an unnamed Tory candidate has been quoted as saying that there is latent racism in the party and the leadership is worried that Labour would ``capitalise on controversial outbursts by some our candidates.'' Hence Mr Ancram's memo.

The Independent in an editorial said it was an ``extraordinary and eloquent'' commentary on the state of the Tory party that its chairman felt compelled to write such a letter. ``It is hard to imagine Mr. Ancram's equivalents in the Labour or Liberal Democratic Parties having to issue such a note'', it said.

Observers pointed out that the Tories were unlikely to tone down their rhetoric on asylum because it was the only issue on which the party seemed to have a lead over Labour as a vast majority of Britons, albeit largely because of ignorance, were apprehensive about an open door policy on asylum.

But, as The Independent argued, the British public had ``not lost its sense of tolerance'' to a degree that it would be inclined to be swayed by xenophobic propaganda.

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Section  : International
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