Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2003
Encyclopedia
The 2003 Conservative leadership election was caused by the enforced resignation of incumbent leader Iain Duncan-Smith after the loss of a confidence vote amongst his parliamentary party. The causes of Duncan-Smith's fall are often cited as his lack of charisma and impact with the public, the uninspired direction of the party under his leadership, and his previous failure to achieve more than a third of support amongst MPs in the 2001 leadership Contest
. In the event, the party coalesced around Michael Howard
as replacement leader and there was not a contest to replace Duncan-Smith.
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 resigned 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 was 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 the party constitution. 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.)
and Oliver Letwin
announced that they were supporting former Home Secretary
Michael Howard
. Kenneth Clarke
and Tim Yeo
announced 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.
Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2001
The 2001 Conservative leadership election was held after the United Kingdom Conservative Party failed to make inroads into the Labour government's lead in the 2001 general election. Party leader William Hague resigned, and a leadership contest was called under new rules Hague had introduced...
. In the event, the party coalesced around Michael Howard
Michael Howard
Michael Howard, Baron Howard of Lympne, CH, QC, PC is a British politician, who served as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from November 2003 to December 2005...
as replacement leader and there was not a contest to replace Duncan-Smith.
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 LeggBarry Legg
Barry Charles Legg was the Conservative Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes South West from 1992 until the 1997 general election when he was defeated by Labour's Phyllis Starkey. He was one of the Maastricht Rebels. He is the chairman of the Bruges GroupHe was controversially selected by Iain...
was selected as Conservative Party Chief Executive. He was from the right of the party and replaced moderniser Mark MacGregor
Mark MacGregor
Mark MacGregor is a British Conservative Party politician. As a student, he was Chairman of the Federation of Conservative Students...
. This triggered factional infighting and on 23 February 2003 The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
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
Crispin Blunt
Crispin Jeremy Rupert Blunt is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for the Reigate constituency in Surrey, and since May 2010 he has been the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Prisons and Youth Justice within the Ministry of Justice.He first entered...
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 resigned 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
Patrick Cormack
Patrick Cormack, Baron Cormack, FSA DL is a British politician, historian, journalist and author. He was a Conservative Party Member of Parliament from 1970 to 2010.-Early life:...
suggested that Duncan Smith should call a vote of confidence in his leadership. On 22 October major party donor Stuart Wheeler
Stuart Wheeler
Stuart Wheeler is a British businessman and politician. He made his fortune as the founder of the spread betting firm IG Index in 1974, but is best known for his political activism, being formerly a major donor to the Conservative Party and since 2011, has been treasurer of the United Kingdom...
said there was 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
1922 Committee
In British politics, the 1922 Committee is a committee of Conservative Members of Parliament. Voting membership is limited to backbench MPs although frontbench Conservative MPs have an open invitation to attend meetings. While the party was in opposition, frontbench MPs other than the party leader...
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 the party constitution. 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.)
The rise of Michael Howard
As soon as the result of the confidence vote was known MPs David DavisDavid Davis (British politician)
David Michael Davis is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Haltemprice and Howden...
and Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin
Oliver Letwin MP FRSA is a British politician. A member of the Conservative Party, he is currently the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, and a Member of Parliament representing the constituency of West Dorset...
announced that they were supporting former Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
Michael Howard
Michael Howard
Michael Howard, Baron Howard of Lympne, CH, QC, PC is a British politician, who served as the Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from November 2003 to December 2005...
. Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Clarke
Kenneth Harry "Ken" Clarke, QC, MP is a British Conservative politician, currently Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. He was first elected to Parliament in 1970; and appointed a minister in Edward Heath's government, in 1972, and is one of...
and Tim Yeo
Tim Yeo
Timothy Stephen Kenneth Yeo is an English Conservative politician, Member of Parliament for South Suffolk and the current Chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee.-Early life:...
announced they would not be running. Michael Ancram
Michael Ancram
Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr, 13th Marquess of Lothian, PC, QC , known as Michael Ancram, is a United Kingdom Conservative Party politician. He is a member of the House of Lords, former Member of Parliament, and a former member of the Shadow Cabinet...
, 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.