Nicola Addyman Producer Politics Show, BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

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The contenders squared up in York

Style or substance - a tale of the two Davids who aspire to be the next Conservative Leader. They submitted themselves to inquisition by a Conservative audience and Politics Show Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The constituency of Barnsley West and Penistone is not exactly what you might call a Tory heartland.

In fact, you might say that Clive Watkinson is to be commended for his bravery in standing as the Conservative candidate in the staunchly Labour seat in the 2005 general election.

Although he polled nearly 8,000 votes, that was way behind the sitting Labour MP Mick Clapham who polled more than 20,000.

Clive Watkinson backed David Davis

So Clive had no trouble in backing the Yorkshire candidate when it came to the Conservative leadership campaign.

He hoped that David Davis might help to appeal to voters in the North of England and urban centres which the Tories need to gain if they are ever to win back real power.

But lately Clive has begun to worry that he may be backing the wrong horse, which is why he came to York racecourse this week to hear both Davids try to convince Conservative members to vote for them in the forthcoming leadership election.

Clive's resolve was definitely wavering: "Initially I was a David Davis supporter but after the conference ...

"... It wasn't just his speech but also how active the campaign teams were.

"I was very impressed by David Cameron's campaign. He has clever marketing ideas.

"He is very good on the TV and unfortunately people are less interested in policy and more in what people look like."

David Cameron: More style than substance?

So is David Cameron all about style? He told the Politics Show he was hot on policy but did not want to get tied down.

"In every area of policy, I have set a clear direction, but I do not think it is right to try and write the 2009 manifesto in advance."

On the subject of policy and the two Davids, another party member at the hustings in York said "You couldn't put a playing card between them." So is style everything?

David Davis ... Lagging behind?

David Davis told us that the new leader needed to take the fight to New Labour and, not surprisingly, he accentuated the advantages of age and wisdom.

He said he had "the skill, the experience and the knowledge to deploy an argument against Labour and defeat them time and time again."

At the moment, the Conservatives hold just nine seats in Yorkshire. Under Margaret Thatcher they once held 21.

So at the end of the hustings in York, which David did our undecided Conservative from Barnsley think could return the Tories to those heady days?

He is getting back to us on that one.

Politics Show

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Join presenter Cathy Killick for Politics Show on Sunday 27 November 2005 at Noon.

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