POLITICS
The only choice for Party Chairman after the sprogs' revolt
BR UCE AND ERSON
Even if one inclines to the view that Anthony Powell's novels are by Proust, but out of Galsworthy, his method of construc- tion has a strong resemblance to the way in which the public forms its political judg- ments. Out of four or five apparently unconnected incidents, an atmosphere is created, so that suddenly all the action seems part of a pattern. None of the so-called banana skins of the past two years logically entails any other, but there is no doubting the cumulative strength of the impression created in the public mind.
The arguments in favour of the Govern- ment's decision on 'top salaries' are very strong. In normal circumstances, one would compliment ministers on a display of political courage — but courage implies more than the stoicism of the ox on its way to the abattoir. 'Boswell: "That, Sir, was great fortitude of mind." Johnson: "No, Sir; stark insensibility." ' It is generally agreed that this Govern- ment is chronically unable to present its case, but this latest instance was the worst single failure of presentation during the whole of this Parliament. That above all was what the House of Lords was saying on Monday evening — and it might explain why there were unprecedented signs of strain among the Government Whips in the Commons.
A friend of mine once taught at a really ropy prep school in Ireland where, in order to conceal the horrors of the place from parents, the masters were not allowed to beat the boys during the last few days of term. There is nothing in the least ropy about the Tory Whips' Office, but they too would normally want to send their charges off relatively unscarred for the holidays. However, the resentments aroused by last week's vote will last well into the autumn: it was the straw that made the camel bite.
This could have serious implications for the Government long after the details of the latest contretemps are forgotten. Tra- ditionally the Tory Whips' Office has combined the language of the hunting field and the routines of the adjutant's office to form what can be on occasion a formidable instrument of persuasion. Over the last two years, those traditions have been most effectively maintained: the Whips' Office is one of the few pieces of the Government machine that has worked well — and in very trying circumstances.
John Wakeham, the Chief Whip, is a strong candidate for the all-time Whips' XI and he is aided and abetted by some first-rate colleagues, among whom one could single out Tristan Garel-Jones, un- doubtedly a Chief Whip of the future. Mr Garel-Jones is Welsh, and west of Offa's Dyke would pass for straightforward. His main ambition is to serve as a Whip for as long as Basil Seal's father did — happy the man whose qualities meld so perfectly with his ambitions.
But although Torquemada and Dzer- zhinski might well have envied the efficien- cy with which the Whips can on occasion twist recalicitrant arms, there is a differ- ence. The Whips depend ultimately on the consent of those they govern. When the Prime Minister puts them in a position where they have to bludgeon and black- mail the Government's business through, then they are in real danger of being told to get stuffed.
Which brings us to the sprogs — that apt nickname for the Tory new boys. It must be admitted that they do not yet know how to revolt with dignity. All this bleating about what an ear-bashing they got from their constituency chairmen — as if their sole duty as MPs were to be a sail for any passing wind. This was an issue on which constituency chairmen had to be faced down: if ministers cannot explain the reasons for their decisions — well then, the backbenchers should have found those reasons and done the explaining them- selves.
It is all a depressing business — is there any relief in sight? Over the past few days, the argument has been put that Mrs Thatcher should not appoint Norman Teb- bit as Party Chairman, because he would merely reinforce her harsh and uncaring image. There is no evidence, however, that this viewpoint is having any influence in Number Ten, and in my view, the Prime Minister is quite right to disregard it.
After all, what does the Tory Party need its Chairman to do? Being in Government is like bathing in a heavy sea: you can brace yourself for the big wave in front, but you can't see that immediately behind it is an even bigger one which is going to knock you over. There is an urgent need for someone up on the cliffs with binoculars. But though the Prime Minister loves dis- cussing economic strategies — the more impracticable the better — she has a great aversion to any talk of the need for a political strategy as well. Only a senior minister with the double authority that comes from, first, having successfully run major departments of state, and second, being a Thatcherite of impeccable creden- tials, can possibly succeed in overcoming the Prime Minister's reservations and 1111 posing a political strategy on Government policy. So Norman Tebbit is not only the obvious, but the only choice as PartY Chairman.
As to harshness et al — well, if tough- ness, determination, resolute approaches and what have you go totally out of fashion, then the Government is sunk anyway. Moreover, the courage which Mr Tebbit has displayed in surmounting tragedy in his private life is bound, realistically, to make his political tough- ness seem more palatable. Every profile of him will inevitably being with 'Get off nlY bloody feet, Fred.' Also, there is still considerable scope for toughness in knocking Conservative Cen- tral Office into shape. The new Chairman will, however, derive the benefit from one ,significant change that has taken place in the last few months — almost as important, in fact, as Larry Whiny becoming Labour's General Secretary — the appointment of Robin Harris as Director of the Conserv4- tive Research Department, a key position on the Tory General Staff. Unlike Mr Whitty, Mr Harris has come to an orga- nisation which acknowledges FuhrerprinziP and when it comes to toughness, it's not clear that he would have to give best even to Norman Tebbit. Under him, CRD has a good chance of becoming once again the effecting fighting force that Chris Patten left to be squandered. Furthermore, I suspect that we wouldn't only hear about toughness from Chairman Tebbit. Mr Tebbit may be Thatcherite about the aims of policy, but when it conies to means and political rhetoric, he is quire prepared to be pragmatic. As Party Chair- man, he would make many of the same speeches as Peter Walker would — without the press trumpeting a Cabinet split everY time he did so.
Moreover, as David Howell reminded us at the weekend, the Government has a strong case to put forward on all the economic indicators except unemploy- ment: we do have the fastest growth rate in Europe. However, if the Government is to get that particular message across, it may have to move smartly, for that level cl growth may not long continue. It would be an irony which could only occur under this Government if the country were to hav.e had a period of significantly high economic growth with hardly anybody noticing.
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