(3 Jul 1995) English/Nat
The man challenging Britain's Prime Minister for leadership of the Conservative Party, John Redwood, urged undecided Tory MPs to vote for him if they wanted a change ahead of the next general election.
In his final news conference ahead of tomorrow's ballot Redwood said he had "everything to play for" and was confident of winning the first round.
As the fight to the finish intensified John Major warned party members not to "jump into the abyss" by voting for his opponent.
Flanked by his wife Gail , John Redwood appeared buoyant in the countdown to Tuesday's vote.
On the final day of campaigning Redwood delivered a scathing attack on John Major's leadership efforts, saying they were characterised by "uncertainty based on indecision".
The number of waverers among Tory MPs means the outcome of the contest for the leadership of the Conservative Party cannot be predicted with any certainty. Redwood underlined his message to those Tory MPs who were still undecided.
SOUNDBITE:
"It is time for some certainty time to give our party a chance time for a change. I say to all Conservative parliamentary colleagues consider well your vote if you think we need a change to win then vote for one. And there is only one way to vote for change in this election that is to vote for me.
SUPER CAPTION:John Redwood: Conservative leadership contender
Redwood was confident he could secure an outright victory in the first ballot saying it was the only way to ensure the party won the next general election.
SOUNDBITE:
"I think the electoral prospects of the Conservative Party would best be enhanced by a clear victory for me tomorrow that is what I am campaigning for and there is still everything to play for".
SUPER CAPTION: John Redwood - Conservative Leadership contender
The leadership issue was a crucial one too for those who share Redwood's "Euro-sceptic" stance within the Conservative Party such as the former finance minister Norman Lamont. Until recently Lamont was widely-tipped as a potential "stalking horse" candidate to stand against John Major in a leadership contest.
SOUNDBITE:
"The Conservative Party I hope are going to win the election anyway but the question is which leader has the best chance of doing that and we have a mountain to climb, I'm certainly not saying it's impossible for John Major to win the election but actually it's a very difficult task and I think John Redwood would give the Conservative Party self-belief, principle and broad appeal and that he would have a better chance".
SUPER CAPTION: Norman Lamont - MP and former Finance Minister
If he does indeed secure an outright win on the first ballot, John and Gail Redwood, who've suddenly found they're the focus of the British media's attention, could be posing for photographers outside Number 10 Downing Street instead.
Meanwhile at John Major's campaign headquarters his team were quietly confident he would triumph over Redwood without the need for a second round ballot.
SOUNDBITE:
"Mr. Redwood and his team are not going to win and we're looking for a good clean win for John Major on Tuesday night, most MPs want it settled and over and done with on Tuesday we don't want the nonsense of any more rounds and that's what we're aiming for".
SUPER CAPTION: David Maclean MP Interior Minister
The 329 Conservative Party members in the House of Commons pick their leader tomorrow. The winner becomes prime minister.
John Major resigned as party leader on June 22 forcing tomorrow's vote to end months of internal struggle within the party.
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