The Tories find a new Northern Ireland policy

It's tough being the leader of Britain's Conservative party: Labour have stolen most of your signature policies, you are the third party leader since its last time in office, and Tony Blair just keeps wiggling out of every apparent jam. So perhaps not surprisingly, Michael Howard has found it necessary to stake out a bold position on a deeply controversial issue: who should be the manager of Liverpool Football Club. And his policy is clear: Out with the Frenchman, Bring in the Irishman:

Michael Howard has reportedly suggested Liverpool FC should axe Gerard Houllier and replace him with [Glasgow] Celtic boss Martin O'Neill. Mr Howard, a keen Liverpool fan, was overheard saying: "We need O'Neill, but the end of the season is not soon enough. We need him now."

Our position: Howard is completely right. We just don't know if there are any votes in it.