The F-Word and Why the Worst Tory Leader in Memory Could Be Cameron's Saviour ... ; Peter Oborne On Politics and Power

Summary

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YOU SIMPLY cannot underestimate the trauma, the blow to his pride as a man as well as a politician, and the immensity of the public humiliation suffered by Iain Duncan Smith when he was sacked as Conservative Party leader almost exactly three years ago.

Many people would have given up the ghost at this point. Edward Heath, who suffered a similar experience in 1975, embarked on his famous 30-year sulk and was no good to man or beast. William Hague gave up politics after his 2001 election defeat and, even now that he has returned to the front line as shadow foreign secretary, operates on what might generously be regarded as a part-time basis.

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The F-Word and Why the Worst Tory Leader in Memory Could Be Cameron's Saviour ... ; Peter Oborne On Politics and Power

Iain Duncan Smith has battled on.

Though far worse treated than Hague or even Heath, he has never complained. He picked himself off the floor, dusted himself down and got on with life in a way that - whatever one might think about his stewardship of the Tory Party - commands respect.

Freed from the responsibility of office, this disciple of Margaret Thatcher has devoted himse...

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