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  Tory Hopefuls Break Party Line on Cannabis
Posted by FoM on June 23, 2001 at 20:43:34 PT
By Gaby Hinsliff and Euan Ferguson 
Source: The Observer  

cannabis Three of the leading contenders for the Tory leadership last night broke with the party's traditional hardline opposition to drugs by calling for a major debate on the legalisation of cannabis.

In a dramatic attempt to outflank the Labour Party over its refusal to engage in debate on the issue, the leadership contenders all signalled their willingness to reflect public opinion on the use of 'soft' drugs.

David Davis was the first to break the party line, arguing that politicians owed it to anxious parents to be open about drugs. His stance was backed by his leadership rivals Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Ancram, both seen as traditionalists but anxious to shed any image of stuffiness.

Only Michael Portillo refused to discuss drugs directly. However, he gave a strong hint of his sympathies in a statement, saying that he wished to foster 'the broadest and most stimulating debate' on policy for 25 years.

The new twist in the Tory contest not only turns the party's drugs policy upside down but poses a serious challenge to Tony Blair, with Labour now the only party resisting even discussing a change in the law.

Asked about cannabis legalisation, Davis insisted he was not personally in favour, arguing that in The Netherlands it had led to problems with harder drugs. But he suggested that this should not prevent open discussion.

'I do think we should have the debate. There are an awful lot of people - parents - who are terrified out there, about the truths and myths of drugs, and I think we owe it to them to have the debate so facts can be aired,' he added.

A source close to Duncan Smith said that, while he has always been seen as a hardliner on social issues, his real views were more liberal.

'We must address this situation where for medical reasons people need it,' the source said. 'No one has put forward the argument to him yet where he would feel that legalisation would be right, but the answers are still there to be discussed. He is much more concerned about dealers than he is about ordinary people.'

A spokesman for Ancram said he accepted there should be a discussion on changing the law. A Portillo spokesman said he wanted the party to initiate a broad policy debate.

None of the contenders were among the nine senior Tories who confessed last autumn to having used cannabis in the past.

Special Report: Drugs in Britain
http://www.guardian.co.uk/drugs/

Source: Observer, The (UK)
Author: Gaby Hinsliff and Euan Ferguson
Published: Sunday, June 24, 2001
Copyright: 2001 The Observer
Contact: letters@observer.co.uk
Website: http://www.observer.co.uk/

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Comment #5 posted by Spiderman on June 25, 2001 at 02:33:18 PT
Hah
It would seem that since 'New' Labour have hijacked all the Conservative policies, this would be the start of a reverse trend - the Tories now have to occupy the traditional left position just to have policies they can call their own. Truthfully, this only goes to show what a commanding position the popularist Labour Party is in and just how desperate the Conservatives really are. It's obviously a purely vote-winning move - not so long ago they'd have had us hung, drawn and quartered.

On the other hand, if the Right did declare itself in favour of legalisation this would mean that the second largest party is advocating the cause and this can only be a good thing. More-over, it might encourage the Liberal Democrats to back openly what is a natural policy for them and cease their cautious tiptoe-ing around a royal commission.

If the Conservatives can move away from the extreme and show themselves as a more rational party they might be able to weaken Labour's grip and get something done. If they could align themselves with the Lib Dems, so much the better. But I'll keep voting Liberal and still wouldn't want a Conservative government for all the weed in Holland, however 'progressive' their new leader.

I'm not used to agreeing with the Tories. Somehow I'd rather they'd have elected the vile Widdecombe as leader (no chance now) and the electorate could have buried this nasty party for good. Then we'd have the Liberals in second place and a real chance for change. But I certainly never expected the Tories to improve things and I don't see this as anything to be hopeful about now. Change may come in England, but not this way.

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Comment #4 posted by Dan Hillman on June 24, 2001 at 20:36:52 PT
Labour won't talk about it...
...to the eternal shame of labour.

So let the Tories take the lead!


My annoyingly oft-stated prediction: the drug war will crumble next in Merry Olde England.




[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #3 posted by Anonymous on June 24, 2001 at 06:55:48 PT
Ah...politicians
Always FOLLOWERS, never LEADERS. It seems they've realized what the people want, and if it means keeping a job and/or increasing their power, they'll damn well follow the people.

Of course, no politician can talk about te Netherlands without lying, but that's just par for the course

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #2 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on June 24, 2001 at 05:58:46 PT
"The truth and the myths of drugs"
>>Asked about cannabis legalisation, Davis insisted he was not personally in favour, arguing that in The Netherlands it had led to problems with harder drugs.<<

The only problem with hard drugs the Netherlands seems to be having is that their heroin addict population is getting older! The rest of the world's heroin addicts should have such problems...

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #1 posted by Tony Eason on June 24, 2001 at 05:42:34 PT:

When will we know
Could u tell me when this debate will take place please.I'm sure u mentioned it but i didnt notice it

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