This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8223664.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tory cites Enoch Powell as hero Tory cites Enoch Powell as hero
(10 minutes later)
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has labelled the Conservatives "two-faced" after one of their MPs cited Enoch Powell as his political hero.Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has labelled the Conservatives "two-faced" after one of their MPs cited Enoch Powell as his political hero.
In a US interview, Tory MEP Daniel Hannan said 1960's anti-immigration campaigner Mr Powell understood "the importance of national democracy".In a US interview, Tory MEP Daniel Hannan said 1960's anti-immigration campaigner Mr Powell understood "the importance of national democracy".
The Tories said Mr Hannan had not praised Mr Powell's immigration views.The Tories said Mr Hannan had not praised Mr Powell's immigration views.
But Lord Mandelson said they had a public face, and another which "attacks the NHS and praises Enoch Powell".But Lord Mandelson said they had a public face, and another which "attacks the NHS and praises Enoch Powell".
In an interview with a US internet television channel, Mr Hannan said Enoch Powell "understood why you need to live in an independent country and what that meant, as well as being a free marketeer and a small-government Conservative."In an interview with a US internet television channel, Mr Hannan said Enoch Powell "understood why you need to live in an independent country and what that meant, as well as being a free marketeer and a small-government Conservative."
Mr Hannan recently provoked controversy by describing the NHS as a "mistake".Mr Hannan recently provoked controversy by describing the NHS as a "mistake".
'Rivers of Blood''Rivers of Blood'
Labour seized on Mr Hannan's comments and urged Conservative leader David Cameron to take action.Labour seized on Mr Hannan's comments and urged Conservative leader David Cameron to take action.
Lord Mandelson said: "Yet again, we are seeing the two faces of the Conservative party: the one they want to present to the public and the one which attacks the NHS and praises Enoch Powell."Lord Mandelson said: "Yet again, we are seeing the two faces of the Conservative party: the one they want to present to the public and the one which attacks the NHS and praises Enoch Powell."
Is it acceptable for the modern Conservative Party to attack the NHS and praise Enoch Powell? Labour MP Parmjit DhandaIs it acceptable for the modern Conservative Party to attack the NHS and praise Enoch Powell? Labour MP Parmjit Dhanda
Mr Powell became infamous after a speech he made in 1968 while serving as a Conservative MP.Mr Powell became infamous after a speech he made in 1968 while serving as a Conservative MP.
His "Rivers of Blood" speech gave apocalyptic predictions of what would happen to pockets of Britain if mass immigration continued.His "Rivers of Blood" speech gave apocalyptic predictions of what would happen to pockets of Britain if mass immigration continued.
He compared racial tensions in the United States to the Roman poet Virgil's description of "the River Tiber foaming with much blood" and said anti-discrimination laws were like "throwing a match on to gunpowder".He compared racial tensions in the United States to the Roman poet Virgil's description of "the River Tiber foaming with much blood" and said anti-discrimination laws were like "throwing a match on to gunpowder".
Responding to Mr Hannan's latest remarks, Labour MP Parmjit Dhanda said: "Last week Daniel Hannan attacked the NHS. Now he's talking up Enoch Powell as a key influence for Cameron's Conservatives.Responding to Mr Hannan's latest remarks, Labour MP Parmjit Dhanda said: "Last week Daniel Hannan attacked the NHS. Now he's talking up Enoch Powell as a key influence for Cameron's Conservatives.
"When another Tory candidate praised Enoch Powell in 2007, David Cameron criticised him and he was forced to resign."When another Tory candidate praised Enoch Powell in 2007, David Cameron criticised him and he was forced to resign.
As an MP Enoch Powell represented Wolverhampton South West
"The question now for Cameron is whether he will take similar action against Daniel Hannan."The question now for Cameron is whether he will take similar action against Daniel Hannan.
"Or is it acceptable for the modern Conservative Party to attack the NHS and praise Enoch Powell?""Or is it acceptable for the modern Conservative Party to attack the NHS and praise Enoch Powell?"
'Eccentric'
Conservative sources said Mr Hannan would not be disciplined because his praise for Mr Powell had not referred to the late politician's stance on immigration.Conservative sources said Mr Hannan would not be disciplined because his praise for Mr Powell had not referred to the late politician's stance on immigration.
Mr Hannan was described as "pro-immigration".Mr Hannan was described as "pro-immigration".
Last week, in another US interview, Mr Hannan called the NHS a "60-year mistake" that he "wouldn't wish on anyone".Last week, in another US interview, Mr Hannan called the NHS a "60-year mistake" that he "wouldn't wish on anyone".
He claimed it was an overly-bureaucratic hangover of wartime planning which rations care which should be broken up and replaced by a mix of private and state-run provision.He claimed it was an overly-bureaucratic hangover of wartime planning which rations care which should be broken up and replaced by a mix of private and state-run provision.
Mr Hannan's remarks were made amid the fierce debate in the US over President Barack Obama's proposed healthcare reforms.Mr Hannan's remarks were made amid the fierce debate in the US over President Barack Obama's proposed healthcare reforms.
At the time Mr Cameron dismissed Mr Hannan's views on the NHS as "eccentric".At the time Mr Cameron dismissed Mr Hannan's views on the NHS as "eccentric".