Shadow chancellor, Michael Howard has criticised Conservatives briefing against party leader Iain Duncan Smith. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's "Today" programme Mr Howard said: "We have an excellent leader - we should rally around him."
Meanwhile the Tories are due to unveil proposals on Wednesday to curb trade union influence and Mr Howard will underline the party's plans to cut taxes if they win the next election.
What do you think of Michael Howard's comments? Should the party resolve its differences and unite behind Iain Duncan Smith? Can the Tories win the next election?
The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:
 |  Whatever the current government's failings, as a nation we're better off under Labour  |
I don't think they'll win. However badly the current government are doing, things are still a lot better than they were in the early 80s, and the current government is less out-and-out corrupt than that of the early 90s. Whatever the current government's failings, as a nation we're better off under Labour than we were under Thatcher's Tories, and there are a whole lot of voters who remember this, and won't support them, however much they dislike the current political situation.
Lucy Hewitt, UK An enlightened libertarian party that believed in, low tax, free enterprise and less state meddling in people's lives could prove very popular right now. The Tories have the right instincts when it comes to the economy but are still very old fashioned about social issues. They need to become more modern if they are to become electable.
Al, UK
The major problems for the Tories stem from the fact that (a) they have very few genuine policies and (b) those they do have do not differ substantially from Labour policies. This is a result of Labour's shift to the right and also the fact that there is no real raison d'�tre for the Tory party anymore. Thatcherism and one nation conservatism have been replaced with an attempt to find a rightwing third way. Unfortunately this does not amount to an ideology, more a hope that one day they will be in power. There is more that divides the Tory party in ideological terms than that which unites it.
Dilip, UK
| IDS needs to stop acting like he's still an officer in the army and try and loosen up and engage the population |
Yes they can. IDS needs to stop acting like he's still an officer in the army and try and loosen up and engage the population. The Tories are now starting to put real distance between themselves and Labour with policies such as scraping tuitions fees etc... IDS needs to realise that he needs to move up three or four gears for the country to notice what they are and think about backing him and the Tories again.
Guy, UK When are the conservative politicians going to wake up and realise that all the time Iain Duncan Smith is party leader - the conservative party will never get back into power no matter what the policies are!
Diane Hounsham, UK
I was a youth in Thatcher's Britain. I still remember the cries of "No Future". The removal of my dream of an engineering apprenticeship, replaced with a three month YTS. No future indeed. No jobs either. I would not vote for the Conservatives if they were the last party left on Earth. I will never forget or forgive. Mass unemployment, police state, rioting, homelessness...NO FUTURE!
Boots, UK
Labour's vote will be eroded by apathy, and split by anti-war defections. The Lib Dem vote will be damaged by their support for the EU and its constitution. The election is there for the taking - the Tories must first find unity, and then they shall have victory.
Phil, UK
I agree with Mr Howard. IDS is an excellent leader with fresh ideas. It is unfortunate that the media portrays men of character so negatively. This will be a difficult hurdle to overcome. However, it is a hurdle that can and must be overcome if the decline of Britain presided over by Blair is to be stopped.
Dave, England
| I certainly hope that the Tories succeed |
It's going to be a hard job, but if the Tories do unite behind their leader, it's a possibility. He may be known as the grey man, but that's only because he refuses to stoop to the levels of PR grandstanding and manipulation that is so much the signature of the Labour Party. I certainly hope that the Tories succeed so that they can start to turn back the tide of rot that has set in under labour.
Phil Clark, England I am a Tory at heart but I simply cannot support them at present. Iain Duncan Smith is William Hague without the political ability. Portillo should have been leader and not this pathetic excuse for a politician. There's not a hope in hell of winning the next election.
David Massingham, England
I agree with William Hague, who would have been an excellent PM, that IDS will make an excellent PM, 'convictions and integrity etc'. I wish somebody would explain to me exactly what A. Blair's government has done in office. I honestly cannot think of one thing they have improved. Are they just theorists? Conservatism is natural for Britain and would bring our country back to its normal way of life, i.e. peace and prosperity.
R. Steward, GB
| I'm torn between giving TB one more chance or doing something more radical like voting Green |
No chance whatsoever. I don't actually know what any Conservative policies are. They used to have the reputation of economic competence but Labour has stolen that with low unemployment, low inflation and low interest rates for some years now. I'm torn between giving TB one more chance or doing something more radical like voting Green.
Richard , UK The Tories are about as fashionable as 70's chintz. They should think long and hard as to why they were voted out in the first place. And that with a massive majority against them. Quite simply, their vision lacks the energy of New Labour circa 1997, or the Lib Dems today.
Taz, UK
Not a hope. Awful though the current lot are, the Tories are just not up to the job. All their proposals depend on helping people who already have enough to pay tax; what about the poorest in society? And the Tories were keen for the Iraq war anyway so no kudos there.
Mary W, England
If George W. Bush, as politically naive and non-astute as he is, can be President of the worlds' greatest superpower, I do not see why the Tory party cannot win the next election with IDS as leader. If only they will rally round to support the leader that they have got instead of seeking every opportunity to undermine his authority. Unfortunately, the Tory party have become their own worst enemy by being incapable and unwilling to present as a united front in convincing opposition against an increasingly useless labour govt.
Kobi Asiegbu, UK
Yes, they can. I certainly prefer IDS to TB. It really amazes me after all the lies, deception bullying, incompetence and arrogance, there are still people who would prolong the life of this PM and his government. I totally agree with William Hague, and I hope that he too will have an important role to play in a new Tory government. I am sick to death of Labour SPIN. I just want some honesty, humility, competence, and someone who will do his best for the country and not simply for himself, for a change!
Jeannette, UK
The Tory Party made a pathetic opposition and there's nothing to suggest they'd make a better government. They've got no distinctive policies since New Labour has pulled the centre-right rug from underneath them, and they have the albatross that is IDS as a leader. What an ineffectual bunch. 'Course they can't win the next election.
Katherine, UK
| The Tories are not an effective opposition at the moment |
The Tories are not an effective opposition at the moment let alone a party that can win an election. Oppositions do not win elections governments lose them but the opposition must be credible and electable. At the moment the Tories are neither. The war against Iraq is enough for the government to lose but the Tories are at best half hearted in attacking them on this issue. This, the recent leaders and the exclusion of Ken Clarke makes me wonder if they want to win the next election.
Alan, UK Yes I think they can win. They need to concentrate on the matters that really matter to Middle England, cut taxes, cut waste, break strikes etc.
Richard, UK
Until the Conservatives acknowledge there is more that unites them than divides them, they will not unify their support throughout the party or the country. The grandees are committing the ultimate act of betrayal and self indulgence by putting their own interests ahead of the party's. Clarke, Hague, Heseltine and Portillo are desperately needed to bring down this dreadful government and restore our national services - but they must all accept that the nation must decide via referendum on Europe.
Mark, England
No. Certainly not the next election and probably not the one after that. I know very few people who would vote Tory - a lot who are dissatisfied with Labour are moving to the LibDems.
calypso, UK
I can't believe the number of people here preoccupied by the media frenzy around IDS's lack of fire. Blair has plenty of it and he's led us up the garden path. I'm tired of spin and I'll happily back someone more humble and understanding if he's got a good team and some good policies. This year it seems he has, so yes. If I'm anything to go by then yes, they can do it. Whether they will or not is more in the hands of the media and backstabbers in his own party both of whom should keep quiet and look at the policies they're coming up with rather than the personalities.
Phillip Holley, UK, London
| The previous actions of the Conservatives still blight their image |
I think the previous actions of the Conservatives still blight their image. I, like a lot of others, was struggling at university when the last Conservative government put the boot in with the poll tax and cutting any financial assistance, plus I was around to see the selling off of "the family silver" in terms of public services - not to mention wasting the money raised via the housing market collapse and trying to stay in the ERM. I'm now a thirty something home owner who might be the kind of person the Conservatives would like to win over - I for one wouldn't wish another of their governments on my worst enemy. They still need to come a long way to escape their "rob the poor to feed the rich" image.
Giles Clinker, UK No, simply because every time Blair and his cronies messed up the Tory's failed to get stuck in. It has fallen to the media to represent the voice of British people.
Tony King, UK
Yes they can, even with IDS, his approach is refreshing, although for many Tories it has been very frustrating not to have seen our MPs unite behind the leader and direct their attention at Labour's many failures. If the Tories don't win next time around, this country won't be worth living in, and I for one will be leaving while I still have some assets left.
Mike, England
Reading these comments shows just what short memories people have. The strong economy for which Gordon Brown loves to take the credit is a product of the Thatcher reforms, all strongly opposed by Brown and Blair. Of course John Major was a disaster, but he was only there because of scheming by ambitious Tory MPs who wanted to be leader themselves. Gordon Brown is now squandering the inheritance - just look at the tax hikes and pension crisis both of which are his fault alone. Instead of looking for star qualities and sound bites (a fashion only started by Blair), try listening to what is said and think long and hard before you consign this country to a third Labour term, or the even worse Lib Dems who will sell us to Europe overnight.
Malcolm, England
No. Although there is a real and deep dissatisfaction with the current Labour government, people can remember all too clearly the mess the Tories made six years ago. Like Labour a decade ago, nothing less than a complete change of image will make the Conservatives a real proposition for the electorate again.
Paul, UK
| In the end it's the policies that matter |
It's possible but I think that those that are speaking out against IDS are doing a lot of damage and deflecting any message the Party is trying to put across. I think they have some good ideas in their policies, and in the end it's the policies that matter isn't it? What do we want from a prime minister, someone who is a great performer and politician? I personally want just want to see promises kept and money well spent, although whether IDS is the man to do this, I'm not sure.
Tony, UK Not with IDS at the helm I'm afraid. They need a more charismatic leader with a better image such as Dr Liam Fox. More importantly, they need to sort out their policies and get over what they stand for to the general public. They can then take Labour to task on a variety of matters - this shouldn't be difficult as there are open goals for the Tories wherever you look - the trouble is they are still lacing their boots up!
Matt F, UK
I think the Tories would do better bringing back William Hague, IDS does not have the connection with the electorate. As an adjunct to this, I find it boring that political commentators constantly comment on Teresa May's shoes and clothes, you don't comment on the male politicians ties so why on the women's shoes, aren't they entitled to be judged on their policies as much as the men or is that unreasonable in this day and age.
Paddy C, UK
It is not the opposition that wins but governments that lose, IDS is not a big asset but on the other hand he his not a liability like Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock, we do need the Tories to be strong to give the Electorate an option.
Perry C, UK
I have always voted Conservative in the past, but am unlikely to in the next election. I strongly disagree with the new populist policies such as scrapping top up tuition fees. New Labour is now more right wing than the Conservatives on many issues.
Rodney, England
I feel sad when I read this because everybody is so angry and directionless. This has come from our current political climate. We have realised that our future is out of our control and that government embody all that is sinister. To top this there doesn't seem to be an alternative. We need to stop endlessly carping about the NHS being ripped apart and other generic slurring terms and base our decisions on the individuals in place - who might be trusted, what are they offering. We need to get involved in the scene and intelligently debate the issues. This knowledge will help us to burn out these uncouth politicians. Maybe IDS is quiet and a bit ugly and clumsy but he is not institutionally corrupt and does not pawn people's lives for the commodity of power. Please let not allow our political arena be turned into what we are now seeing in California. Lets use our heads.
Nick, UK
IDS is no doubt genuine, but so uninspiring. You almost prefer being lied to by Blair & Co than listening to the drudgery that is the Theresa May and IDS double act. Be brave now, ditch the ditherer and give yourselves an outside chance next time around.
Pete, UK
If Labour are such a wonderful party, why am I surrounded by everyone miserable with their lot? It's amazing that I am unable to find a Labour voter anywhere.
Faith, UK, UK
In my view the Tories are extremely unlikely to see power again before the Euro issue is settled. They are still bitterly divided on Europe, despite the efforts of Hague and IDS to bury the dissent, and the people the public like (Ken Clarke, for example) seem to be on fringes while the likes of Michael Howard, reviled and ridiculed in turn, are in the inner circle. So the longer Tony Blair can keep the Euro issue hanging the worse it is for the Tories. Don't expect a referendum in this parliament!
Guy Chapman, UK
The only thing that IDS can hope for is for the Conservative party not to have less seats than the Lib Dems at the next general election. Sad to say that IDS comes across as a genuine politician with the same old spin and sleaze merchants sitting behind him. IDS could only hope to win the next general election by changing his party. It's the party not the leader who will be to blame if they lose the next election.
Nick B, UK
Absolutely not, no way, not in a million years with IDS as leader. Maybe with Clarke or Portillo they stand a chance? But the Tories would never elect either of those divisive politicians. So it's defeat and obscurity for the next five or ten years I'm afraid.
Nick, UK
| I think the Lib Dems will take over the Tories as main opposition |
Simple answer - NO. The direction and policies of the party are not clear and well defined enough. I think the Lib Dems will take over the Tories as main opposition next time.
Joe, UK Electorates may consider policies, but they only vote for leaders they believe in. The one thing which would scare Tony Blair senseless would be a coup-d'etat by the parliamentary Tory party which put David Davis as leader, Michael Portillo as deputy and Ken Clarke as shadow chancellor. All three are charismatic, come across as moderate and tolerant, and Ken Clarke is probably the only Tory who can dispel the idea of Tory economic mismanagement. In reality though Davis and Portillo are waiting for IDS to lose the next election and try again as leader.
Jamie, UK
The world has changed. Those political party members who remember the 40s through to the 70s, when policies and party mattered, and individuals took a back stage, need to realise this. We live in a world where personality and presentation is all and everything to do with elections. With IDS at the helm, the Tories are quite simply unelectable. The local party members who effectively blocked Portillo's election doomed their party to another term of decline and stagnation. These are the facts of the situation, and to pretend otherwise is to delude yourself.
Alex, England
| I predict a further decline of the Tories |
I predict a further decline of the Tories. This is due to a fundamental shift that has taken place in British politics since 1997. Now, the left and right wing have new occupiers; Blairists being the new moderate right and the Lib Dems the new moderate left. This leaves no room for the Tories at present, and if they don't radically change course they will whither into political oblivion.
Michael, UK They could, but it could well be that they might need William Hague. There has been no-one more capable of keeping Blair in check than him. Maybe he should come back.
Geoff Hirst, Scotland
I find it extraordinary that people dismiss IDS and the Tories out of hand, and their acceptance that what we have now is the only option. We all know that the Government is a failure across the board, we all know that they are liars and spin merchants. We all know that the wastage of taxes is disgraceful and taxes will increase - yet the apathetic acceptance of all the government's failures will be compounded in a third term. The Lib Dems offer nothing but more of the same under different names, yet they are considered contenders. Given the option at the next GE. it seems they prefer the image of Man and government as opposed to a British Prime Minister and a British Government Something everyone knows we do not have now! I am very confused!
Maurice, England
| Personally I am happy with a government that offers equal choices to everyone |
The Conservative party have not changed. They still want to cut spending on public services, allow patients with money to jump NHS queues, and get rid of the New Deal, which has put so many people back into work. Personally I am happy with a government that offers equal choices to everyone, rather than the Tory line of choice based on your monetary worth.
Paul, UK If Labour goes to the polls with the mendacious Blair, people will stay away in droves and the result will be wide open, in fact, a national lottery. IDS would have the same chance of winning as anyone else.
John M, LyneMeads, UK
When I turned 18 I voted for Labour in their first term, by the second term I was disillusioned with Blair and things have just got worse. Tory never cared for them and IDS has no appeal for me as a leader. Hence I won't be voting for anyone? Who else is there? Liberal? I don't think so.
Asif, Manchester UK
Which ever party addresses the issues that concern the voters will most likely win the next election. The issues that are important are NHS Law and Order Local democracy. However, the winner will be decided by which way roughly 50 constituencies will vote. Each party has its heartland the problem is the more fickle areas the so called "Basildon Man" it is them who will decide whether Tony stays in No 10 or not.
Charles, UK
Labour would need to haemorrhage a lot more of its support to give the Tories any chance. And those votes that Labour is losing are more likely to go to the Lib Dems than to the Conservatives. The next election will be closer than the last, but will have Labour leading a three-horse field.
Colin Edwards, New Zealand Whoever ends up with the next commons majority, apathy will be the clear winner of the next election. In other words, who cares anymore?
Chris, UK
With IDS they stand as much chance as a snowball in hell! After this year IDS is the best weapon Blair's got! After all if you had to vote tomorrow you might dislike Blair but the alternative in the shape of IDS doesn't bear thinking about.
John, UK
The answer is NO, why would anyone vote for IDS and his cronies, Tony Blair may have his critics but when you consider that we currently have low unemployment, low interest rates, low inflation and a good stable economy, then compare what the Tories did, over three million unemployed, 15% interest rates etc, then their is no alternative.
Pete, UK
| Ian Duncan Smith offers us the best chance for getting out of the misery Tony Blair and co have put us in |
I sincerely hope the Conservatives do win the next election. People seem so caught up in trendy 'spin' and think it unfashionable to vote Conservatives these days. These are people who haven't actually looked at the policies of each party and seen that Ian Duncan Smith offers us the best chance for getting out of the misery Tony Blair and co. have put us in.
Nigel, England I'd like to see the Tories return to power, but not in their current form, which is disorganised and without strong leadership. At the moment I would say the LibDems are a more credible alternative, but realistically have no chance of winning the next election. Unless things change drastically, I can see no future other than a third term for Labour.
Matt, UK
Not without a leader as straight, strong and believable as Margaret Thatcher.
Nigel Rees, UK/US
Quite simply, no. While this country remembers the systematic destruction of the public services under Thatcher/Major, no. When the new generation who can't remember it reach voting age, they will be disillusioned with politics and not vote. Net result, no Tories for the foreseeable. Must be a good thing!
Andrew Morrow, UK
| To all those who knock Thatcherism I'd just like to say that it beat the alternatives for 13 years |
To all those who knock Thatcherism I'd just like to say that it beat the alternatives for 13 years. It had its faults but they weren't as bad as this government which appears hell-bent on destroying centuries of tradition without even sparing a thought for what to do next. If the current government were to attempt a DIY project I can see a house reduced to rubble while they squabbled over what colour the new bathroom should be.
Dave Tankard, UK I do not think that Ian Duncan Smith, would stand up and say that his party will loose the next election. It was the conservatives that brought in council tax, what was wrong with the old rates system I do not know. They had three terms in power, what did they do for the health service?
Ian Freeman, United Kingdom
How ineffective are the Tories? If I were a Tory MP, I would be attacking the government on their record. They do not need a silent man but someone who will shout their values and policies. They will not win on silence, get shot of IDS and get someone with charisma.
Duncan, UK
The Conservative party have a huge chance of winning the next General election, if only they can get their voice heard. A quiet politician may be an honest politician, but a quiet politician is an impotent politician. They are the only party willing to say no to the horrendous beurocratic called Europe, and they are the only party that can help the most people; as history has shown.
Ian Convey, England
The last time the Tories were in power crime tippled, hospitals closed, nurses and doctor numbers dropped, police numbers fell, inflation was out of control, interest rates went above 13% and unemployment hit three million! Now they say that they have all the answers which turn out to be the same ones that nearly bankrupted the country so no they have no chance of winning the next election.
Gary Gatter, UK
The Tories will not win the next election, not with Ian Duncan Smith. He is too nice. The conservatives need a party leader who is strong and ruthless. Someone who has character and direction.
Jeff Doley, UK
The Tories have lost it they are totally out of touch, Thatcherism has caught up with them, they will never win an election again
G H Deere, Canada
Of course they can win. With a different leader.
Jo Owen, UK
| This country was picked up by the Conservatives after old Labour ruined it |
The Labour government have managed to rip this country apart and everything has gone down hill in their rule. So I think that it is about time the leadership was to return to the Conservatives. They cannot do a worse job of it surely. This country was picked up by the Conservatives after old Labour ruined it then, maybe this is their chance to show us they can do it again. I used to like living in England, now I hate it.
Nina, UK Having voted Tory up to and including 1992, I could not bring myself to vote in 1997 for such a corrupt party. Now, as a businessman, I could not possibly vote for a party which is so anti-Europe. Until they change this fundamental policy I will be voting LibDem.
Lorenz Kahl, UK
Today I watched the Tory party conference debating the health service. Speaker after speaker denigrated the NHS and in turn the people who work in it. Three weeks ago I was diagnosed as having leukaemia and the speed and quality of treatment have been first class. I cannot speak too highly of the care and attention I have received and I am not alone. At 70 years of age I meet many people of my age and have yet to meet anyone who is disappointed with their NHS treatment. You ask whether the Tories can be elected. A good start would be to start telling the truth and stop peddling their hypocrisy.
G Heathcote, England
I thought they'd gone into hiding as I have heard nothing from them for months. Unless they start attacking the government (which isn't difficult at the moment) and coming up with credible alternatives I'm afraid (very afraid) that Blair will win the next election.
Ian, UK
The main reason the country wants to get rid of Tony Blair is because of the Iraq war. But the Tories supported this war too, so they are no alternative.
Jonathan Kelk, UK
| Sooner or later, people will get tired of being taxed to the hilt |
Sooner or later, people will get tired of being taxed to the hilt, bullied in their public sector jobs or entwined with red tape in the private sector, being prey to crime that the police regard as too trivial to deter or investigate, with dumbed down schools leading to dumbed down universities, with being treated as a statistic rather a human by the NHS and being patronised by adverts encouraging us to fill in 40 page forms to get a piddling tax rebate. Pause for breath... Whether the Tories will win next time though is open to question. Lots of people would have to admit to themselves that they got in wrong in 97 and 01.
Neil, United Kingdom What? I cannot believe you are even asking this question! People have not forgotten the total mess they made of things before; what's changed? Nothing. Same old faces, same old sleaze, same old spin, same old lies. I don't think so. At the next election be prepared for the lowest voter turnout since the last election. Not through apathy; through total mistrust of both Labour and Tory.
Peter, England
I'm no fan of Tony Blair, but if the Tories get in at the next election, I'll seriously consider leaving the country.
James Pittman, England
We still have a choice. We can vote for a loud, deceitful and detached prime minister or, shock horror, we can vote for a quiet, honourable and genuine prime minister. Trendy versus practical, showy versus realistic, manic versus measured, deceitful versus honest, spun exotic versus plain vanilla. The British will wish to remain British and as a result IDS will win the next general election. The tortoise of principal will always beat the hare of spin. New Labour is toast - and Gordon and the unions know it.
R C Robjohn, UK
I hope not, but then I hope Labour don't either, maybe we should give the Lib Dem a chance...
Helen, UK
No. Iain Duncan Smith will go down in history as the one who abdicated the Conservative Party's position as The Opposition. The Conservatives can now be ignored in favour of the Lib Dems.
David, England
| The only reason they stand any chance is because of their attitude towards Europe |
Even some life-long Tories I know have stopped supporting them. Tony Blair has lost touch with the British people and yet they are still an ineffective opposition. I think that the Lib Dems could easily overtake the Conservatives at the next election. The only reason they stand any chance is because of their attitude towards Europe.
Andrew MacDonald, UK Yeah right and pigs can fly! Blair may have lied about Iraq but at least he's not going to completely destroy the NHS.
Neal Bebbington, Cambridge, UK
I am not sure if Ian Duncan Smith is the right person to lead the Tories. However I am very confident that the Tories will win the next election
Riki Gillespie, Scotland
Yes. This current EU loving Labour government is the most dangerous since the Soviet Labour government of the 1970's. Their 'economic success' is built heavily upon hard decisions made by previous Tory administrations. It's only a matter of time before the rest of the electorate cotton on.
Simon Hickey, UK
Absolutely. There is no other show in town with the right combination of sensible policies geared to the needs of the taxpaying public and not to the need of power-hungry spinmasters.
Graham Shelton, England
| The electoral arithmetic is stacked against them |
"We will win the next election" is probably the most common lie told by party leaders. In the last twenty years we've had Michael Foot before the 1983 election, Neil Kinnock (1987), John Major (1997) and William Hague (2001). Now Iain Duncan-Smith feels obliged to say the same thing even though he must realise they stand no chance. It's all part of the political game. The electoral arithmetic is stacked against them. They need to double their number of seats at the next election. The poll in the marginal constituencies in last week's Guardian showed them gaining just twenty seats from Labour. At the same time they would lose 5-10 seats to the Lib Dems. This would still leave them a very long way short of victory.
Simon, UK
A simple comparison - the Tories' politics try to equalise people by giving everyone a chance to better themselves. Labour try to equalise everyone by dragging people down and holding them back.
Dave Tankard, UK
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