Howard's speech hits front pages

Wednesday's papers are impressed with Tory leader Michael Howard's speech at his party's annual conference, but few believe it will help him win a general election.

Although it takes skill to say in 10 words why you should vote Tory, time and tide are against him, the Sun says.

For the Independent, no amount of neat phrasing could make this into a speech of a prime-minister-in-waiting.

The Times agrees, saying while voters may take Mr Howard seriously, the jury is still out on his party.

Best of Britain

Other papers have a more upbeat message for the opposition party.

The Daily Telegraph says Conservatism is coming back into vogue. Now it is up to the Conservatives to harry Labour from office, the paper says.

In the Daily Mail's view, Mr Howard is unequivocally prepared to advocate the moral case for Conservatism. He spoke for the best of Britain.

The great challenge for the Tories now, the paper says, is to carry that message to the voters of tomorrow.

'Election protection'

Democratic Party officials in the US - haunted by the 2000 Florida ballot - have unveiled an "election protection" plan, the Financial Times says.

They will ensure every vote in next month's poll is counted in Florida and 21 other marginal states.

The party has employed voter protection co-ordinators to ensure voters register and ballots are easily understandable.

The Kerry campaign also has five teams of top lawyers ready to fly anywhere a recount is ordered, the Telegraph adds.

Continental habits

It seems that the great British ritual of a pint down the pub is under threat from the trend for having a glass of wine at home.

Market research by Datamonitor suggests wine is on the way to ousting beer as our tipple of choice, says the Times.

Drinking at home or in restaurants is remorselessly taking trade away from pubs and bars, the paper says.

The Mail says the adoption of more "continental" habits is a result of women drinking more than ever before.