By WILLIAM CLARK,
Scottish Political
Correspondent
MR Allan Hogarth, the Thatcherite Tory who fought the Glasgow Central
by-election, has accepted the post of personal assistant to Scottish
Conservative Party chairman Mr Michael Forsyth in his constituency.
Mr Hogarth, 23, a Stirling University graduate, has quit his job with
a Glasgow publishing firm for a full-time position that will involve
research and handling media inquiries. He will be based in the Stirling
constituency offices and be paid by them.
He is regarded as a leading figure among the new right in the ranks of
the hard-line younger Scottish Tories and led Mrs Thatcher's ''fan
club'' at the last Scottish conference. His appointment will not ease
fears in the party over the way it is being diverted to full-blooded
Thatcherism.
Mr Hogarth confirmed yesterday that his personal views were much in
tune with Mr Forsyth's on controversial issues such as privatisation in
the health service and changes in education.
He added: ''I agree with providing extra money for patients from
privatisation and similar policies, and if that means being part of the
hard right then I suppose one could infer that.
''A lot of my work will concern the antics of the local
Labour-controlled district council in Stirling. There is the matter of
obstruction over the right to buy council homes by a council whose
actions have to be approved by the local Labour group.''
Mr Hogarth said he felt he was part of the move to push the party's
message more positively in Scotland.
He added: ''I do feel it has got to be put over better than in the
past and Mr Forsyth, as chairman, is the man to do that.
''There have been individuals within the party who are wary of what he
has been doing, but the results have shown benefit for the people of
Scotland in health and education, and speak for themselves. From that I
am in tune with his politics.''
The appointment of Mr Hogarth shows the determination by Scottish
Office Minister Mr Forsyth to retain his marginal seat, held by 548
votes at the General Election from local Labour leader Councillor
Michael Connarty, who is now to fight the Falkirk East seat.
It will be valuable experience for Mr Hogarth, from Largs, whose name
has been linked with Mr George Younger's even more marginal Ayr seat,
now that he has announced he is not to defend it again.
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