Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2003

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The Conservative Party performed poorly in the 2001 UK General Election. Party leader William Hague resigned and after an election was replaced by Iain Duncan Smith. The election, which was conducted in a process established after Hague's election, was in two stages - MPs voted to select two candidates who were put forward for an all party ballot. The MPs vote was evenly split three ways with Kenneth Clarke getting the most votes and Iain Duncan Smith beating Michael Portillo by 1 vote. Margaret Thatcher stated her support for the eurosceptic Duncan Smith over the pro-European Clarke and Duncan Smith won the 60% of the full party vote.

[edit] The fall of Iain Duncan Smith

Duncan Smith's leadership was damaged by his lack of support amongst many of his MPs and the perception that he was a weak uncharismatic leader. On 14 February 2003 former MP Barry Legg was selected as Conservative Party Chief Executive. He was from the right of the party and replaced moderniser Mark MacGregor. This triggered factional infighting and on 23 February 2003 The Independent newspaper published a story that members of parliament were considering a vote of confidence due to Duncan Smith's perceived unelectability. On 1 May 2003 Crispin Blunt resigned from the Conservative front bench and demanded a no confidence motion in Duncan Smith, the day before local government elections. On 7 May Barry Legg resigns amid continuing disquiet.

On 13 October 2003 the parliamentary watchdog began an investigation into Duncan Smith's past employment of his wife as his diary secretary. There were allegations that she was on the parliamentary payroll for apparently doing no work. On 18 October Sir Patrick Cormack suggested that Duncan Smith should call a vote of confidence in his leadership. On 22 October major party donor Stuart Wheeler said there is an overwhelming case to replace Duncan Smith.

For a vote of confidence to occur 15 percent of Conservative MPs (at the time, 25 MPs) had to write to the Chairman of the 1922 Committee demanding the vote. On 26 October, amid mounting claims that the threshold of 25 was about to be reached, Duncan Smith made an appearance on television daring his opponents to show their hand by the evening of 29 October, or to withdraw their challenge. He also stated that he would not step down if a vote was called. On 28 October Sir Michael Spicer, chairman of the 1922 Committee, announced that he had received at least 25 votes and the vote of no confidence was held on 29 October 2003. Duncan Smith lost the vote 75-90. (It, perhaps, should be noted that the demand by Duncan Smith to have the matter "resolved" by 29 October had no bearing in Party Legislation. Had the required number of votes not been received until 30 October - or later - the result would have been the same, in that a vote of confidence would still have been called by Sir Michael Spicer.)

[edit] The rise of Michael Howard

As soon as the result of the confidence vote was known MPs David Davis and Oliver Letwin announce that they are supporting former Home Secretary Michael Howard. Kenneth Clarke and Tim Yeo announce they would not be running. Michael Ancram, deputy leader of the party, gave the qualified statement that he would not stand against Howard so long as no other candidate came forward - widely seen as a warning against other candidates standing. The prospect of a sole candidate raised many questions as to whether or not ordinary party members would have the opportunity to decide whether they accepted Howard as leader, with some suggestions for an all-member ballot. No other candidates came forward and Howard was elected unopposed on 6 November 2003. The board of the Conservative Party decided not to have that ratified by the party membership.