Rothermere tells Tories not to count on Mail's support

by Staff,, Brand Republic 27-Sep-04, 11:00

LONDON - Viscount Rothermere, chairman of the Daily Mail & General Trust, has warned the Conservative Party leader Michael Howard that he should not take the support of the Daily Mail newspaper for granted in the next general election.

Speaking in today's Independent, Rothermere said that the Daily Mail -- the newspaper of the UK's middle classes -- would support the political party that best represents the interests of that class.

"The Conservatives do not have a God-given right to expect the loyalty of the Daily Mail," he said.

"The Daily Mail supports the middle-class of this country, and if the middle-class of this country is better supported by another political party and feels that way, then I'm sure Paul [Dacre, editor-in-chief] would make the corresponding decision."

Rothermere also expressed personal admiration and respect for the Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie in the interview.

He said that they are "remarkable people" who do not let the Daily Mail's continual attacks on them affect his personal relationship with them.

Despite Rothermere's comments today, it is seen as almost unthinkable that the Mail would support any other party.

The paper loathes Labour and spent last week deriding the Liberal Democrats, leaving only anti-European single-issue party UKIP, led by Robert Kilroy Silk, to favour with its support.

If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the Forum here.