Hague backs Duncan Smith

Mr Hague backed his successor's leadership

Being leader of the opposition is like digging in a long dark tunnel with little satisfaction to the job, said William Hague.

In an interview with BBC Two's new flagship programme, The Daily Politics, the former Conservative leader backed his successor Iain Duncan Smith.

It's like digging down a long, dark tunnel being the opposition

William Hague

Mr Hague said that Mr Duncan Smith was a "straightforward, honest man" and was "doing the job in a very good way".

But giving a less than upbeat insight into his four years as Tory leader, he added: "It's like digging down a long, dark tunnel being the Opposition through a parliament and there aren't many satisfactions in it.

"You're tunnelling under the great fortifications of the government and those fortifications are much weaker than they were four years ago when I was doing the job.

"Eventually if you keep tunnelling it will bring down the enemy ramparts.

"Now you don't know when that will happen - you just have to keep going."

Loyal to leader

Mr Hague quit as Tory leader after his party suffered a second successive heavy defeat at the hands of New Labour, in the 2001 general election.

Responding to questions about the difficulties Mr Duncan Smith faced amid discontent among his own MPs, Mr Hague insisted his successor had to keep going.

"I want him to succeed, I believe he will succeed but the party's got to give him the chance and time to succeed."

Asked whether he thought Mr Duncan Smith's leadership would last until the next general election Mr Hague said: "There's no doubt in my mind that that is what I want to see.

"I think that will happen - we've got great opportunities over the next year. I think Iain will make the most of these opportunities and I think he will win greater support."