UK: LONDON: WILLIAM HAGUE WINS LEADERSHIP OF TORY PARTY

(19 Jun 1997) English/Nat

William Hague won the leadership of Britain's Conservative Party on Thursday, becoming the party's youngest chief in 200 years.

Hague, who opposed Britain's joining a single European currency, defeated ex-Treasury chief Kenneth Clarke, the party's leading pro-European, in a third round ballot.

In his victory speech, Hague promised he would bring the bitterly divided party back to unity and back to power.

Fresh-faced William Hague - 36-year-old - strode out of the House of Commons on Thursday, promising a fresh start for his party, which badly needs a lift.

Hague defeated ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) Kenneth Clarke, the party's leading pro-European, in a third round ballot.

The vote was 92-70, with one lawmaker abstaining and another spoiling the ballot paper.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm obviously very pleased with the result, the Conservative Party have placed a great responsibility on me and done me a great honour in electing me as its leader."
SUPER CAPTION: William Hague, new leader of the Conservative Party

Clarke put on a brave face but must have wondered whether his union with John Redwood - a right-winger who was previously his ideological enemy over Europe - was a wise move.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The leadership campaign is now over and the whole party has got to come together and make itself a united party, fight the Labour Party and I'm sure William is going to be one of the successful prime ministers of this century."
SUPER CAPTION: Kenneth Clarke, Conservative leadership contender

Shortly after the result came through, former Prime Minister John Major officially handed over the leadership of the opposition Conservative Party to Hague.

Major received warm applause - but Hague was greeted by even loud cheering at the party's headquarters in London.

In his victory speech, Hague - the youngest Tory leader since William Pitt in 1783 - said there would be no grudges against those he defeated in the leadership contest.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"But I'm determined that no grudges will be bourne by anyone in our party, as we look back on that process. We all start from a clean slate and it is my responsibility to lead this party, it is also my responsibility to heal this party and to bring people together, over the coming months and over the coming years."
SUPER CAPTION: William Hague, new leader of the Conservative Party

He singled out Clarke for particular praise and regretted that his main rival had refused the offer of a senior post in Hague's shadow cabinet.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"So let us feel rejuvenated, let us rediscover our sense of purpose, united and determined we can rebuild our party in the years ahead. I am determined to take our party back to unity, back to confidence and back to power. Join me in doing so."
SUPER CAPTION: William Hague, new leader of the Conservative Party

As leader of Britain's main opposition party, Hague must now rebuild the party.

The Conservatives were traumatised by a landslide defeat by Labour in the May 1 elections, which threw them out after 18 years in power.

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