Who do you think will be best to lead the Conservative Party? This is the fourth page of your comments.
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:
 |  I have never voted Tory, but would like to see them being a credible opposition |
The greatest problem with British Politics for the past 30 years, at least, is weak opposition. I have never voted Tory, but would like to see them being a credible opposition to curb Blair's excesses. Davis or Fox as leader would just signal more years of weak opposition, and possibly another contest before the next election, as happened with IDS. It has to be Clark or Cameron, the former has proven clout but would never be great, the latter is a risk but could be great. The Tories have to start being serious!
Will, St Albans I think this debate is very interesting. Would the public prefer a party who will vote for a leader purely to get them into power what ever the consequences? Or would they prefer one that stands by its belief and votes for the candidate who they think will do good job.
Tracy, Lincolnshire
I feel that David Davis will be the best one at this time as he always comes forward with commonsense views and his manner on interviews seems well presented.
Paul Karakashian, Droitwich Spa, UK
One man has the charisma, clarity and energy to reach out to people who haven't voted Conservative for years...David Cameron. Party members want him, floating voters like him and the media support him. If MPs want to win they need to vote for him.
Michael, Durham
Sadly, I doubt it will make any difference who's voted in. When Tony Blair came to power it was like a breath of fresh air: the country was ready for change, the Tory party were tired, weary, and totally devoid of any real understanding of the working class, and therefore were deservedly booted into touch. What has changed? You need somebody like Blair was, (and I stress was), to have any hope of future success.
Ian Smart,
| A good candidate to keep New Labour on their toes would be Mr Cameron |
I am a Labour supporter but I believe a good candidate to keep New Labour on their toes would be Mr Cameron as he has the ability to drag the Tories into a new modern era, this could only be good for Britain.
Marc Jackson, Surrey Sir, Much as I respect and admire Ken Clark, I do think that sadly there is more than a hint of the 'Yesterday Man' about him. True, he is a fine adversary in debate and he would be a pugnacious foe at PM's Question Time - BUT David Cameron is also in possession of these same skills. He is the man to lead the Tory Party, not only for Today but Tomorrow. If the Tory Party desires a future, then MP's and ordinary members must choose him and only him, no one else - and please NOT David Davies, who in my opinion is suffering from the same 'charisma bypass' that inflicted Ian Duncan Smith! So step forward David Cameron!
John Rawnsley, London UK
Anyone but Ken Clarke, a politician who gets paid thousands of pounds to promote cigarette smoking cannot be allowed to be in a position where he could become PM and therefore the guardian of the nations health.
Cliff, Colchester UK
David Cameron definitely, I am getting on in years but we need some young blood and I think he would be the ideal candidate. Listening to him on the Teachers of the Year Awards he came across as somebody the Conservative Party could well do with.
Valerie Shaves, Romford, England
If the uninspiring David Davis wins the Tories better get used to being in the wilderness, because they're going to stay there for a while.
Onisillos Sekkides, London, UK
As a young member of the Tory party, I will be bitterly disappointed if Ken Clarke is not elected as our new leader. This is our final chance to have by far the best politician in the land as leader. He is a strong personality with a proven track record in senior government roles. Plus he is the most well known Conservative and the public see him as a normal, charismatic and down to earth 'bloke' not another virtually unknown like David Davis or David Cameron. As he shown in his conference speech, he is head and shoulders above the rest. It really baffles me how can David Cameron be seriously considered as the next leader with no government experience whatsoever! Perhaps a future leader but definitely not yet! He should put his own ambitions to one side and support Ken Clarke. Plus I think we would be going even further down in the general public's estimations with Davis or Fox.
John Price, Wirral, Merseyside Anybody that hasn't the gumption to answer a direct question with a direct answer is pure politician, and not a leader that you can trust (I refer you to our current government). As a Tory voter at heart, if anybody other than DD gets elected I will not be voting for the Tories again. At least with Mrs T you always felt that you would get a direct answer, not necessarily the one that you wanted to hear, but at least an answer. DC still comes across as having no idea or connection to the real low income voters of the country that the Tory party requires and therefore would not get my support - if the Tory party wants to appeal to the stereotypical Tory, elect DC and stay in the cold.
JJ
Things went wrong for the Tories when they dispensed of one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Like her or loathe her Maggie was formidable, substantial, dedicated, and fiercely patriotic. Unfortunately we can't have her back and there is no equivalent to match her qualities. Give Ann Widdecombe a voice makeover and she would win hands down! Otherwise bring back Hague. Now there's a potential champion!
Steve, Carlisle
Why do the Tories want a Blair-clone? Whoever is elected needs to unite the party (at least in the public eye) and offer strong leadership - not just a model in terms of age, looks, appearance, of Tony Blair. Don't forget he's out next election - so they'll be battling Brown - a different ball game.
GDW, London
| Cameron most certainly should not be voted for |
Why are so many of you happy to be trodden all over? So many comments saying how great Cameron is - but he is withholding the truth from you, from the party membership, from the press about whether he has committed an illegal act as an MP. His possible drug taking is central to everything - not because of the drugs themselves, but because of the hypocrisy, because of the illegality. What kind of country are we where we citizens are expected to live by one set of rules, but those who control our lives and are supposed to represent us think they don't have to? What kind of political party is it that espouses policy one way, but their members are doing the opposite? Cameron most certainly should not be voted for. If he can be like this now, imagine what kind of double-standard liar he'd be if he were leader or PM! We've had enough of that with Tony Blair, for crying out loud, we don't need any more of it!
Josephine R., Bath, UK Ken Clarke, I have always liked him. He was against the war. I also think he is the one the Labour Party fear. If he is leader, I am sure he will the PM at the next election
Anon, London
Perhaps in the thick and thin of this battle for leadership, the Conservatives do well to remember their history. I am not particularly a Thatcherite and will never be one, but the Thatcher phenomenon is what gave Toryism a new lease of life. To be frank, a female candidate would appeal more. Let the Tories field in Anne Widdecombe. Ken Clarke would provide a great running mate. My guess is that whoever is elected now will not survive till the election time. Come on Anne, save the Tories!
Peter Jones, London
To be frank, the entire party is bereft of any ideas and is soul-less as far as the electorate is concerned. Without the intellectual renaissance that one of the candidates has underlined, changing the leadership is simply ineffectual.
Prof P J Opio, London
The only way in which the Conservatives can have a chance of winning in 2009 is to make a clean break with the past now. The only way they can do that is to elect a young leader now. Therefore it's got to be Cameron and he is the best of the four anyway. It's a no-brainer, seriously.
Roger Richardson, Teddington, UK
David Cameron would be the best leader. He may not be the most experienced but he is young and full of fire. He has four years to make is mark and to show the people of this country he is in charge. The Tories need someone like him, not the usual old men as in the past, if they want to win don't forget he needs the young voters - we old one's now who we are going to vote for.
Joe, Leyland, UK
I don't trust Cameron at all, like I don't trust Blair. He sounds completely insincere. What is the point of the Conservatives electing a clone of the prime minister when they can do the real thing and join the Labour Party? The only person who poses a challenge and gives people a choice is Ken Clarke.
Bilal Patel, London, UK
The Tory party just don't seem to get it! If they want to win the next election they must elect Ken Clarke as leader. I am a 23-year-old Conservative voter and think David Cameron is definitely one to watch for in the future and looks like prime minister material, but not now. The Tory party must not think who they would like to see as leader but who the country would like to see as leader and then prime minister to oust this awful Labour administration that we are encumbered with at the moment. I know many people who would vote for the Conservatives again if they have Ken Clarke as leader. At the moment he is their only hope of survival, and I fear if they elect any other person they will not only lose the next general election but will become obsolete in a new political order.
Christopher Todd, Dundee
The slim pickings that is the Tory leadership contest shows how unelectable the party is. If Cameron wins he would lose the next election and the Tories would have him out. Clark is too old and sullied by his close ties to the tobacco industry. David Davis is seemingly the most electable but will make little impact in debate with Blair/Brown and hardly appealing to the country outside of Little England.
Andrew Fotheringham, Polmont, Scotland
| As a Labour Party supporter, I would prefer the Tories to elect David Davis as leader |
As a Labour Party supporter, I would prefer the Tories to elect David Davis as leader. Having watched some of their Party Conference, it is pleasing to see the Tories in denial when they assert that they left the UK economy in good shape in 1997. Really? Which parts of the economy were OK? Was it the National Health Service? Was it the Education System? Was it Public Transport? Was it Pensions? Readers feel free to add to the long list of misery the Tories inflicted on the British people.
Ian Sanderson, London, UK It will make little difference as to who leads the Tories as long as they persist in being Tories. Nothing changes with them. They shy away from change otherwise, we wouldn't be saddled with the farcical system of Government that prevails at present.
Thomas Lowry, Leeds UK
As someone who revels in the disarray of the Tory party (Hague, IDS, Howard - hasn't it been great?) I must say, from a Labour point of view, David Cameron could cause concern. Should it be Davis or Fox it will be plain sailing for Labour. I'm routing for them.
Antony, Manchester
What the Tory MP's need to remember is that they have to elect someone who can appeal to a majority of the country, not just a majority of the Tory Party. Whilst the latter would probably lead to a Davis win, the former would probably lead to a Clarke win. The decision therefore has to be taken looking at a nationwide view, not just a party view. If they do elect Clarke, he must then appoint Cameron to an important position in the shadow cabinet. This is the only combination that will appeal to the country as a whole, and give them a realistic chance of winning at the next election, rather than to just the diminishing Tory Party members.
Dave Stratford, High Wycombe, UK
I do wish David Cameron can be left alone to get on with his job which is to become Tory party leader and, thereafter, hopefully, Prime Minister. He is assured of my vote, anyway.
Diana O'Donnell, Hythe, Kent
Having watched all the speeches, the only one that gave me a 'frisson' of excitement was David Cameron's speech. He will have my vote, as long as he remains David and does not become Dave.
Tony Woolcott, High Wycombe, UK
| Vote Clarke as leader this time round and groom Cameron for the future |
Whoever says Clarke is too old to appeal to the younger voter is talking rubbish - it's attitude and experience that count - not age. I'm 28 and have always been a big fan of Clarke's straight talking and great sense of humour. I was disappointed that he missed out in the last two leadership elections - let's not make the same mistake again. Vote Clarke as leader this time round and groom Cameron for the future - he's too wet round the ears right now! As for Davis, have you learnt nothing from John Major and IDS - boring but dependable doesn't work!
Abigail, York, England It's not about who did the best speech or who wowed the Tory faithful or who has the best campaign badges. At the end of the day it's about who can win an election which involves the general public. It would be sensible to pick Cameron - just an opinion from a Labour voter. Come on Tories think long term.
Nick Ormerod, Halifax, Yorkshire
If Ken Clarke or David Davis becomes leader of the Conservative Party it would be a terrible backwards step. The Tories need a younger, more dynamic leader. One who brings fresh ideas and not a whole load of baggage.
Tim, England
I am dumbfounded by the whole situation. The Tory Party is on its knees, with ignorance being the predominant sense that has brought them here. After driving their single golden hope out - Michael Portillo - they are now left with the choice of 4 grey men in suits. One is younger than the other, and the date of his birth seems to automatically make him highly intelligent, fresh, new, and adaptable, when of course anyone with any intelligence knows that this is not the case. Indeed his behaviour this week has proven this is not the case: he is as evasive and squirming as the rest of them. The other three, well they're just characterless nobodies, they're not leaders in any sense of the word. Michael Portillo is their only hope. None of these four should be leader.
Nat, Henley, UK
For David Davis to be the favourite shows the Tory party is still harking back to Thatcherism. When will they ever learn that tax cuts and social exclusion don't work any more? As a Labour voter I am perfectly happy to see the unelectable Mr Davis as Tory leader.
David, London, UK
This vote will indicate whether Tory MPs have any strategic sense. Clarke should replace Howard because his popular appeal will reduce the Labour majority in the next election. Following that election he is replaced by David Cameron who will by then have a greater public profile and leads the Tories back to power in the election after. This is one leadership too early for David Cameron. As for Davis and Fox, if they lead the Tories, the party has no future.
Paul Hensby, Kennington
Ken Clarke is the man to lead the Conservatives and the country. He was an excellent Chancellor and will make an inspired Prime Minister. The others have no real ministerial experience and no vision of Britain that goes beyond sound bites and what they think we want to hear!
Susan, London
The problem is that Cameron is the best prospect for the future, but if he loses the next election he will be damaged goods. The best scenario is for Clarke to be leader with Cameron as his deputy. Who knows, Clarke may even win, but if he doesn't he will at least make substantial inroads, leaving the way open for Cameron. I am a Labour, middle ground voter.
Nick Warner, Southsea, UK I think that the Tories should elect Ken Clarke; he is the only candidate who can claim to be popular with the general public. He also has the charisma and experience to be a decent prime minister, unlike Cameron, who is inexperienced and Davis, who is too bland.
Anthony Irle, Exeter
I will not vote for Conservative Party if Ken Clarke is not elected as leader this time. I have wasted my votes by supporting Conservative Party in the last two elections. The Tory MPs and Conservative voters must elect someone who is to become the next Prime Minister not just the Leader of the Conservative Party. The other candidates should pull out of the leadership race and endorse Ken Clarke as the next Prime Minister.
Maung, London
I think 37 years living in Britain with 12 years in politics is sufficient experience. Much older and you may be resistant to change, much younger and you may be reluctant to take counsel. I'd vote for Cameron.
Ian, London, England
David Cameron is the right age, would stand up well against Blair & Brown and is what we need to turn the party around.
Debbie, Haywards Heath, Sussex
I think Dr Fox has a wide appeal, and speaks with the people.
Richard Denny, Chichester
I believe that to go for a 'Tony Blair' clone - in the shape of David Cameron - is a sad indictment of politics today where image takes precedence over substance. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown would 'have David Cameron for dinner' - DC would be a good member of a cabinet led by Ken Clarke, supported by David Davies. DC's hour of fame will come later as we approach the next election when he has served his apprenticeship under a strong leader. Rhoda, Matlock, Derbyshire
Rhoda Hamer, Matlock, UK
| David Davis has lost my vote by harping on about the whole drugs issue |
I would like David Cameron to become leader. I can't forget Ken Clarke's stance on Europe, I can't really remember what Liam Fox looks like and David Davis has lost my vote by harping on about the whole drugs issue - irrelevant and too entrenched in the type of old-school Toryism that saw MPs calling for certain rock bands to be banned from Britain.
Jamie, London, UK Why do the Tories remain out of touch, anachronistic and unelectable? "And the contenders will get their chance to woo the female Conservative vote when they are questioned by the Contact Group of Tory spouses on Thursday." God forbid they should woo the female vote by talking to female Tory MPs - oh, I forgot - there aren't enough female Tory MPs to get a meaningful sample of female opinion.
Jenna Smythe, Portland, USA
Does it matter? Party in opposition now, party in opposition for a long time to come. The boat left years ago, and the dinosaurs left behind are intent on leaving themselves in the wilderness for a while yet. Right wing politics has no place in the modern European world, and the sooner the Tories realise they are on a different planet, the better for all.
John, Elgin, Scotland
There's only one thing the Conservative party needs, a strong dynamic, forceful, great, inspirational and charismatic leader with forthright policies and a leader who isn't afraid to stand their ground on policy despite overwhelming opposition, a person who wont shed their morals and beliefs fro the sake of a few floating voters. In short we need another Thatcher!
Dod, Chesterfield
| They should also push for Proportional Representation |
Sir Malcolm was wrong, the conservative party definitely doesn't need a leader who can win the election, they need an opposition leader like Kinnock who will be able to set up and modernise the party who'll know that there's little chance of victory and won't be tempted to sell out the modernising the party needs to go through for the short term goal of being elected. If the Tories are going to become a force again in politics and the Labour government is to become properly accountable the party needs to reinvent itself to fit in with the current political climate. They should also push for Proportional Representation it will help them more than any of the leaders will.
Jon Schafer, Aberystwyth It has to be Cameron; time for a new generation to engage with the under 35's. Pitt was Prime Minister when he was only 24 years old.
Ian Hume, Greenlaw, Scotland
David Davis will have to watch his back; many of us who assumed we would be supporting him are carefully scrutinising Liam Fox as a desirable alternative.
James Lockwood, Tunbridge Wells, England
Many things are needed for the next leader. Intelligence to win arguments in Parliament and in public; experience and knowledge to expose Blair and Brown's obvious failings; and to find solutions to the problems caused by Labour. Finally - humour, humility and a common touch to attract the public vote. Only one man has all of those - Ken Clarke. Come on Ken!
Darrel Humphreys, Cardiff, UK
Cameron for leader. Davis in the context of his speech was dreary, a little smug, slightly complacent and one worries about his performance against men of the enormous calibre of Brown and Blair. The Tory task is immense and Cameron has the pedigree to match the best. Davis does not.
John Robinson, Preston, England
Davis would be mincemeat to Blair/Brown; I never ever did see anything in him. Cameron - just what we need....please!
Paul, Richmond
Where was Clarke the past eight years when his party needed him most? I'm loathe to admit however he'd be a far better bet than Davis who is inexcusably dull.
Edward, London
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