I believe Davis got 62 and Cameron 56

Widdecombe IS supporting Fox. Also I have it from high authority that both Fox and Davis will fight for the national vote and will NOT drop out of the race under ANY circumstances. I suspect it is disinformation coming from somewhere, perhaps DCs camps although I doubt it. It is realistically most probably the over paranoid BBC and general media.

Yes thankyou Editor, this site has kept me going throughout this race, it is I think the best one around by far in terms of info and reason. Let us hope there is a membership ballot for you to keep track of...

Guardian Online has got Nigel Waterson switching from Clarke to Fox and Adam Holloway from Davis to Cameron.

It isnt directly linked to the leadership contest, in fact its not linked at all. But... There is an interesting article in the Yorkshire Post this morning regarding the dispute between Philip Davies MP for Shipley and Stephen Pound MP for North Ealing. The article states that the presenter of talkSPORT radio who was watching the whole thing said that "There wasn't actually any physical contact." Follow this link to see the whole article - http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1223041

"Mr Fox 19 declared and three probables ...there are reports that Mr Fox has cut a deal with 15 members of the 25-strong Cornerstone group" Just seen this on the Scotsmans site, I was aware of the 15 that are supposedly from Cornerstone but has anybody any idea who these other 3 are making it up to 19 announced for Fox? or indeed to who these other 3 possbiles are? If this information is to be believed it would put Fox at 37 MPs, with the possibilty of more out of the remaining number that have yet to declare, thus leapfrogging both Cameron and Clarke.

Gerald Howarth is a good man, he's a minister for Shadow defence. If he's onside then Fox will have a real asset. Not sure if Redwood would bring anything to the table, he appears to be a bit of a hate figure at the moment. I know there are certain MPs who have already declared for Davis but are planning to vote Fox, they just cant say so publicly - they don't want to break the promise of public support.

In the end I think it will be Fox, he is starting to break through and I think he has more support than most people are prepared to say. There's hope yet.

Who would I like then Adrian?

You're a paid up member? I must say I didn't think so... Who are you wanting to vote for on the final Ballot?

Back to the topic of this thread - Do we know who these 15 who are coming out for Fox are yet? BBC News story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4335760.stm

Would we be refering to Mr Sherman? I think you could be right, but hey what do you expect from the Liberal Democrats? or even the Socialist Workers... *shudders*

Where abouts on the BBC site? I cant see it anywhere.

When is Cornerstone announcing? I heard it was meant to be tonday but I've heard nothing about it at all on the news and seen nothing on the WWW.

Fox is I think the best option as Clarke would split the party and we would be in a worse position than 2001. Fox is the man that can unite the party and bring in the votes we need. He is also the best man for the job in terms of credibility and intelligence.

Did anyone else see David Cameron on ITN saying how it wasnt where he had come from that mattered but where he wanted to go. The reporter only just got in the fact that he stole it from another candidate, Dr. Liam Fox. Also ITN's Channal 4 news ran a story suggesting that Davis' supporters were showing real signs of switching sides to Liam Fox and that Cameron would replace Clarke. Quite interesting that the news media are starting to grow some sort of a semblance of a brain.

Does anyone know what is wrong with Liam Fox's website? Doesn't appear to be working.

I think it may be a good idea for everyone involved to leave this subject alone...no? People seem to be getting very upset about this subject and we really need to working together as a party (albeit one that is in mid-leadership frenzy, but all the same)we must not allow this sort of thing divide us. If anyone disagrees please just carry on, but we can't ask our MPs and leadership contenders to stop, cease and disist the very thing we are getting caught up in now can we? It would seem rather hipocritical and pointless.

I take it the odds numbers by each MP are how likely they are to vote for the anounced candidate? Dan

who were the other 9 declaring for DD anyway? Were they part of any group? Dan

apologies TYPO: Then surely the best idea when we get back into power would be to give her Mandy's job in Brussels? Get her out of the country and upset the Frenchy. Dan

Then surely the best idea when we get back into power would be to give mer Mandy's job in Brussels? Get her out of the country and upset the Frenchy. Dan

Having spoken to many none Tory friends it seems that our Mr. Clarke is loved on one hand and dispised on the other. Some believe that he could do the country a lot of good, I'm not ENTIRELY sure why, a man who sells out on one of his main principles doesn't endear me to his cause. The fact that he only seems to have turned up to only 36% of votes since 1997 doesn't inspire confidence either. The people who have a problem with him, have a problem with his image - For many he is the last remaining symbol of the Thatcher years. This I think seems to come from some sort of warped fictional history of the Thatcher years, and not in fact from facts and what we actually achieved in that time. (Mind you they are Liberals so we shouldnt expect TOO much from their somewhat frugal basic knowledge or grasp of the words History and FICTION.) The fact that he was Chancellor of the exchequer from 1993 - 1997 doesn't even seem to crop up in converstaion, it seems to be all about the all too popular and fashionable witch hunt for Thatcherites or indeed any figure head which existed in this era. Dan

>>Dan: Today's Sun has a 'fifty MPs to back Fox' story. I think that unlikely but if he gains the backing of a dozen Cornerstone folk Fox still has a reasonable chance of getting to the final run-off.<< This is excellent news, lets hope there is some truth in it. Dan

Do you think that Fox can make it to the final two? It seems to me that Clarke Support is shrinking, the question is, if it is where does he pledge his support? I don't think will get it as he is Eurosceptic among other things. Thw question after that is can Fox hold out against Rifkind, its looking good on that front at the moment but who knows. If Rifkind does stand aside, is he more likely to back Davis as he is the favourite and might want to get onside in the hope of a decent job...? I suppose the conference will make a lot of difference to all concerned. Dan