Iain was picked to be Tory leader because he wasn't a rabid leftie radical like Portillo or Clarke, ie people who could actually reverse the decline in popularity and influence. Far better to have someone sound, at least as far as the people who get to pick the leader are concerned, on the issues that are splitting the organisation, even if that means driving away followers. TINA lives!

I am particularly amused by the opening of the BBC's story "Pope reaches out in first message".

Of course he wants to strive for unity of all Christians!

It's just that they would have to abandon their heresies (as he sees them) and return (as he sees it) to accepting the One True Faith with him as leader… easy!