WILLIAM Hague today marked his first year as Tory leader with a tour of Yorkshire and questions from sixth-form pupils in Lincoln, but how is his own report card marked?

If the opinion polls are a guide, then his performance lacks distinction. The Conservatives continue to trail way behind and one survey last month even showed Tory supporters rating Tony Blair higher than young William.

But critics should perhaps concede that Mr Hague set out from a low point that very few party leaders have experienced.

For after the crushing election defeat of last year, not only was Tory morale hammered, but its effectiveness in the Commons was inevitably reduced by the immense size of Labour's majority.

Furthermore, Mr Hague has an obvious difficulty in presenting alternatives to government policy when so much of it is essentially "Tory."

But Mr Hague must surmount this obstacle. For he cannot depend on Labour - remarkably sure-footed and fireproof so far - making mistakes. He must take the war to them.

And, after a year of finding his feet and steering through reforms of his party, Mr Hague must now crank up the campaign and turn on the sparkle.

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