MUCH has been said about a "Tory revival", given the heady eight per cent who turned out to usher in more Conservative MEPs in last month's Euro polls. But is this not a tad premature?

For those who, in the heady days of Thatcherism, embraced the Conservative Party, the recent antics of the boy William must leave them cold!

For what party leader worth his, or her, salt visits IKEA in order to revamp the lack-lustre political image that is Conservatism? Mr Hague clearly does - as his recent "kitchen table" purchase shows! This, it is contended, will encourage party workers to focus on the bread and butter issues of the day!

Keeping with his "retail therapy", it is interesting that William Hague has also drafted in Archie "Asda" Norman to the front bench to complete his recent reshuffle.

One can only assume that Archie will do his best to ensure that the party does not continue to suffer from permanently low opinion ratings.

"JACK RUSSELL"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.