EVENTS in the US pushed the Tory leadership election into the shade, even delaying the result by a day. And now Iain Duncan Smith stands as the great untested man of British politics.
As the outsider and the new man, he has many advantages and may be the leader to save the Conservative Party. But he is inexperienced, having only been an MP for nine years.
The Tories chose the safe option - Kenneth Clarke, despite his bullying charisma, would have divided the party over Europe - and now Duncan Smith has to prove his mettle.
His party certainly needs him.
Updated: 11:11 Friday, September 14, 2001
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