Place that Conservative face
Thirty nine academics from the Political Studies Association placed the Conservative leaders as follows:
1. Winston Churchill (1940-55)
2. Margaret Thatcher (1975-90)
3. Harold Macmillan (1957-63)
4. David Cameron (2005 to date)
5. Edward Heath (1965-75)
6. John Major (1990-97)
7. William Hague (1997-2001)
8. Alec Douglas-Home (1963-65)
9. Michael Howard (2003-05)
10 Anthony Eden (1955-57)
11. Iain Duncan Smith (2001-03)
In our poll of activists, the positions of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher were reversed.
1. Margaret Thatcher (1975-90)
2. Winston Churchill (1940-55)
3. David Cameron (2005 to date)
4. William Hague (1997-2001)
5. Harold Macmillan (1957-63)
6. John Major (1990-97)
7 Michael Howard (2003-05)
8. Alec Douglas-Home (1963-65)
9. Anthony Eden (1955-57)
10. Iain Duncan Smith (2001-03)
11. Edward Heath (1965-75)
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 2nd Oct 2008, MysoniscalledHarry wrote:Regarding the speeches on Newsnight you gave David Cameron 7/10 and Brown 7.5/10 for their speeches are you serious? Gordon Brown's was a desperate plead to let me keep my job, I think I have got the hang of this now! - David Cameron's one that faced up to the reality of the dire economic and social situation and provided a vision and reassurance that there was a better way.
I know the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s inherent bias is difficult to swim against but try and make it less obvious
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Comment number 2.
At 2nd Oct 2008, kevseywevsey wrote:The activist have it about right, on account they have placed Thatcher at the top with heath at the bottom. The academics on the other hand are all over the place; did they give up halfway and bugger off to the pub for a wee while... only to later complete their task with a pin?
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Comment number 3.
At 2nd Oct 2008, Ziggy_Stardust wrote:Wed's programme - what a disgrace.
The last slither of political independence was removed to show the desperation of the Beebs pro Labour spin. 7.5 out of 10?
I look forward to not having to pay the tv poll tax in the years following the next election.
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Comment number 4.
At 4th Oct 2008, leftieoddbod wrote:I have been away for a week so what's been happening? Brown still ditching the left along with Cruddas, Cameron still vague on policy? Financial turmoil? Nothing has changed then?
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Comment number 5.
At 5th Oct 2008, david F wrote:Can i be pedantic, i myself did the 12 great men and found it a bit difficult. Broadly my results were similar to the overall ´óÏó´«Ã½ result though not 100%.
Both your academics and your activists only listed 11 ! Was this a genuine oversight or were they trying to be clever on 'spot the deliberate error'?
Maybe Michael will enlighten me as i find your brand of' ´óÏó´«Ã½ ism' quite fascinating.
As for ´óÏó´«Ã½ bias towards New/Old/ Clapped out Labour.... i think most viewers will make up their own minds come June 2010.
I forcast a hung parliament with DC winning 300 seats with the Lib Dems holding the Balance. ( And i am a Tory )
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