The Conservative party leader, Michael Howard. Photograph: Martin Argles
I never though I'd find myself feeling sympathy for Michael Howard, but after watching him being demolished by Jeremy Paxman on Newsnight yesterday, I really pity the man.
In case you missed this classic edition of the BBC2 current affairs show, it featured a lengthy segment where Paxman jumped on the Tory party tour bus as it travelled round rainy Cornwall in a desperate search for voters. (The party doesn't have a single MP in the county).
Not sure which bright spark in the Conservative leader's office decided it would be a good idea to invite the pitbull presenter along, but it backfired spectacularly.
Despite the casual attire (nice sweater, Jeremy), Paxman was taking no prisoners. He hectored while Mr Howard tried to address "ordinary people" (read: coerced local Tories), pilloried him when he called a press conference on the debate over Gypsy camps in the area and generally sneered at everything his host did or said.
It culminated with a nice little sit-down chat in a Falmouth café, where, to quote one of many memorable Paxman gambits, he asked: "How much is [the Conservatives' lack of popular support] - I'm sorry there's no easy way to put this - how much is it, that people simply don't like you?"
Until tonight, the feature is available for viewing on the Newsnight website - just click the "watch video" button.
George Wright
