Former Tory Minister claims leadership "missed opportunities"

William Hague losing his momentum

David Davis is a former Minister who now chairs the influential Public Accounts Committee. He's had a busy summer - criticising the MoD for "overspending"; Railtrack's bonuses; the collapse of the Inland Revenue's on-line tax returns; the failed swipe card for benefits: and the blunder over SERPS.

But as he contemplates his party's slide in the opinion polls, Mr Davis seems to have come to the conclusion that his party leadership might have taken a leaf out of his own energetic book.

A MORI survey for the Times suggests that support for the Conservatives has dropped below 30% for the first time since April.

And the same poll, based on more than 1900 interviews, put Labour's figure back above 50%. It also shows that the number of Labour supporters who say they're "certain to vote" has risen from 54% to 70% - indicating that the Tories can't necessarily depend on a low Labour turnout to help them.

Not a blip

Professor John Curtice from Stratchclyde University said that other polls had demonstrated the same trend - which added up to something more significant than a summer blip.

What will be particularly disheartening for William Hague

William Hague - missed opportunities

is that his challenge to the Government has lost momentum so quickly.

During the spring and early summer the Tories saw their poll-rating improve steadily, with strong initiatives from Mr Hague on crime, asylum and the pound. Now, much of that advantage seems to have evaporated.

Energy

David Davis blames a lack of drive and energy

David Davis - "energetic, pricipled" opposition now needed

in keeping up the attack on the Government. He believes that the Tories have missed an important opportunity.

He also recalls that the summer of 1996 was a period during which Labour consolidated its assault on the Major government - building the foundations of election victory nine months later.

John Redwood - difficult when Parliament not in session

The party's Parliamentary Campaigns chairman, John Redwood, rejected the comparison with 1996, and insisted that it was always more difficult for oppositions to be effective during holiday periods.

He also challenged the pollsters to explain why they consistently produced figures suggesting a Labour lead which bore little relation to election realities.

Link to BBC Online's analysis of the summer polls

Link to ICM

Link to MORI