19/10/2005
Cameron leads the way in Tory leadership race
David Cameron is the favourite to succeed Michael Howard as Conservative party leader, as Kenneth Clarke became the first candidate to be eliminated from the contest.
The former Chancellor received 38 votes from fellow MPs, the least number of votes, in the contest’s first ballot. David Davis topped the poll with 62 votes, although 67 MPs had originally declared support for him. David Cameron came second with 56 votes and Dr Liam Fox got 42.
It is the third time that Mr Clarke, 65, has been unsuccessful in his bid to gain leadership of the Tories, having stood in 1997 and 2001. Speaking after the ballot, Mr Clarke said he was “obviously disappointed” but said that he thought he had “contributed to the debate in a positive way”. He said that he thought the party were now looking for a younger leader.
The race is now on to woo Mr Clarke’s supporters ahead of the second ballot, which will take place on Thursday. It has been speculated that many of Mr Clarke’s supporters may now back Mr Cameron, enabling him to overtake David Davis – initially the front-runner in the contest – at the second ballot.
The Shadow Education Secretary confirmed that he would be talking to Mr Clarke’s supporters to try and encourage them to support him. He also described his result as “better than I expected”.
One former Clarke supporter, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, has already declared his support for 39-year-old Mr Cameron. Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm, who had also been an initial contender in the leadership contest, declared: “The more I’ve seen and heard of him, the more impressed I’ve been by his ability to lead.”
Dr Fox, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, polled more votes than expected. He said that he had performed “well above predictions”. It has been speculated that some of the more right-wing MPs had switched their vote from Mr Davis to Dr Fox in a bid to oust Mr Clarke, whose pro-European views famously clashed with the more right-wing elements of the party.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Davis said that he thought there had been some tactical voting. The Shadow Home Secretary said that he thought there would be “a lot of movement of votes” before the second ballot, but remained confident that he would not lose support, insisting it was “extremely unlikely” that any of his supporters would switch their votes.
The second MPs ballot will take place on Thursday, when another candidate will be eliminated. The two remaining contenders will face the final vote, by all members of the Conservative Party, in December.
The new Conservative leader will be announced on December 6.
Michael Howard, who formally resigned at the recent Tory party conference, will continue as acting party leader until the new leader is announced.
(KMcA/SP)
The former Chancellor received 38 votes from fellow MPs, the least number of votes, in the contest’s first ballot. David Davis topped the poll with 62 votes, although 67 MPs had originally declared support for him. David Cameron came second with 56 votes and Dr Liam Fox got 42.
It is the third time that Mr Clarke, 65, has been unsuccessful in his bid to gain leadership of the Tories, having stood in 1997 and 2001. Speaking after the ballot, Mr Clarke said he was “obviously disappointed” but said that he thought he had “contributed to the debate in a positive way”. He said that he thought the party were now looking for a younger leader.
The race is now on to woo Mr Clarke’s supporters ahead of the second ballot, which will take place on Thursday. It has been speculated that many of Mr Clarke’s supporters may now back Mr Cameron, enabling him to overtake David Davis – initially the front-runner in the contest – at the second ballot.
The Shadow Education Secretary confirmed that he would be talking to Mr Clarke’s supporters to try and encourage them to support him. He also described his result as “better than I expected”.
One former Clarke supporter, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, has already declared his support for 39-year-old Mr Cameron. Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm, who had also been an initial contender in the leadership contest, declared: “The more I’ve seen and heard of him, the more impressed I’ve been by his ability to lead.”
Dr Fox, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, polled more votes than expected. He said that he had performed “well above predictions”. It has been speculated that some of the more right-wing MPs had switched their vote from Mr Davis to Dr Fox in a bid to oust Mr Clarke, whose pro-European views famously clashed with the more right-wing elements of the party.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Davis said that he thought there had been some tactical voting. The Shadow Home Secretary said that he thought there would be “a lot of movement of votes” before the second ballot, but remained confident that he would not lose support, insisting it was “extremely unlikely” that any of his supporters would switch their votes.
The second MPs ballot will take place on Thursday, when another candidate will be eliminated. The two remaining contenders will face the final vote, by all members of the Conservative Party, in December.
The new Conservative leader will be announced on December 6.
Michael Howard, who formally resigned at the recent Tory party conference, will continue as acting party leader until the new leader is announced.
(KMcA/SP)
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14 September 2015
Jeremy Corby Elected New Labour Party Leader
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party with a majority of almost 60%. Mr Crobyn beat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, taking 251,417 votes in the first round of voting. In his first act as party leader, Mr Corbyn has been selecting his shadow cabinet, with Tom Watson as Deputy Leader.
Jeremy Corby Elected New Labour Party Leader
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party with a majority of almost 60%. Mr Crobyn beat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, taking 251,417 votes in the first round of voting. In his first act as party leader, Mr Corbyn has been selecting his shadow cabinet, with Tom Watson as Deputy Leader.
21 October 2005
Cameron and Davis begin battle for Tory leadership
David Cameron and David Davis are preparing to go to head-to-head in the final battle for the Conservative party leadership. Mr Cameron remains the bookie’s favourite, after he topped the poll in the MPs second ballot with 90 votes. Mr Davis came second with 57 votes, while Dr Liam Fox came third with 51 votes and was eliminated.
Cameron and Davis begin battle for Tory leadership
David Cameron and David Davis are preparing to go to head-to-head in the final battle for the Conservative party leadership. Mr Cameron remains the bookie’s favourite, after he topped the poll in the MPs second ballot with 90 votes. Mr Davis came second with 57 votes, while Dr Liam Fox came third with 51 votes and was eliminated.
06 December 2005
Cameron elected new party leader
David Cameron has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party. Mr Cameron will succeed Michael Howard to become the party’s fifth leader in eight years. The Shadow Education Secretary defeated his rival, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, by 134,446 votes to 64,398, in a postal ballot of party members across the UK.
Cameron elected new party leader
David Cameron has been elected as the new leader of the Conservative Party. Mr Cameron will succeed Michael Howard to become the party’s fifth leader in eight years. The Shadow Education Secretary defeated his rival, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, by 134,446 votes to 64,398, in a postal ballot of party members across the UK.
07 May 2010
Recount Wins Fermanagh For Sinn Fein
Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew has now been re-elected in Fermanagh/South Tyrone. She was elected on the third recount with a margin in single figures defeating independent unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor.
Recount Wins Fermanagh For Sinn Fein
Sinn Fein's Michelle Gildernew has now been re-elected in Fermanagh/South Tyrone. She was elected on the third recount with a margin in single figures defeating independent unionist unity candidate Rodney Connor.
20 October 2005
Fox out in Tory MP vote
Dr Liam Fox has become the second candidate to be eliminated in the Conservative leadership contest, leaving David Cameron and David Davis as the final two contenders. As widely predicted, Mr Cameron topped the poll with 90 votes from his fellow MPs. Mr Davis secured 57 votes and Dr Fox got 51.
Fox out in Tory MP vote
Dr Liam Fox has become the second candidate to be eliminated in the Conservative leadership contest, leaving David Cameron and David Davis as the final two contenders. As widely predicted, Mr Cameron topped the poll with 90 votes from his fellow MPs. Mr Davis secured 57 votes and Dr Fox got 51.
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