CRITICIZE
LONDON (Reuters) - The new leader of the Conservative Party has proved a formidable match for Tony Blair in parliament, a performance that could signal challenging times ahead for the prime minister. Veteran right-winger Michael Howard showed no sign of nerves on his debut at the weekly prime minister's question time, accusing Blair's government of "ineffectiveness, ineptitude and sheer incompetence" over its handling of public services. In belligerent exchanges on Wednesday, Howard grilled Blair over rising administrative costs at the Treasury and the Department of Health and charged him with dodging his questions. "Two questions asked, neither answered. Not a very good start, I'm afraid," a confident Howard told Blair, as Conservative MPs cheered on the man they hope can restore their floundering party to its former glory.