Menu
11/10/2005
Rifkind withdraws from Tory leadership contest
Sir Malcolm Rifkind has withdrawn from the race to be the next leader of the Conservative party.
Sir Malcolm, the former Foreign Secretary, had been the rank outsider to replace Michael Howard as party leader. He had the backing of seven MPs, but had trailed behind the other candidates – Ken Clarke, David Cameron, David Davis and Liam Fox – in opinion polls.
In a letter to party activists in Reigate and Banstead, Sir Malcolm’s campaign manager Crispin Blunt said that he had withdrawn because “there is insufficient support to give him any realistic prospect of success.”
Mr Blunt said that Sir Malcolm would be supporting Ken Clarke in the leadership race.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s ‘World At One’, Sir Malcolm said that Mr Clarke had the popular appeal and experience to be the Conservative party leader. He said: “He is an obvious person who can handle Gordon Brown, who will be Prime Minister by the time of the next election.”
It is thought that Sir Malcolm’s chances in the leadership contest had been hampered by the loss of his Parliamentary seat in Edinburgh Pentlands in the 1997 General Election. The 59-year-old only returned to Westminster, as MP for Kensington and Chelsea, in this year’s General Election and it is thought that he did not have sufficient time to drum up support for his leadership bid among Conservative MPs.
Sir Malcolm served as a government minister in both Margaret Thatcher and John Major’s Cabinets. He is currently the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary.
Nominations for the Conservative leadership contest close on Thursday and the first vote is due to take place on October 18. Michael Howard’s successor is expected to be announced on December 6.
(KMcA/SP)
Sir Malcolm, the former Foreign Secretary, had been the rank outsider to replace Michael Howard as party leader. He had the backing of seven MPs, but had trailed behind the other candidates – Ken Clarke, David Cameron, David Davis and Liam Fox – in opinion polls.
In a letter to party activists in Reigate and Banstead, Sir Malcolm’s campaign manager Crispin Blunt said that he had withdrawn because “there is insufficient support to give him any realistic prospect of success.”
Mr Blunt said that Sir Malcolm would be supporting Ken Clarke in the leadership race.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s ‘World At One’, Sir Malcolm said that Mr Clarke had the popular appeal and experience to be the Conservative party leader. He said: “He is an obvious person who can handle Gordon Brown, who will be Prime Minister by the time of the next election.”
It is thought that Sir Malcolm’s chances in the leadership contest had been hampered by the loss of his Parliamentary seat in Edinburgh Pentlands in the 1997 General Election. The 59-year-old only returned to Westminster, as MP for Kensington and Chelsea, in this year’s General Election and it is thought that he did not have sufficient time to drum up support for his leadership bid among Conservative MPs.
Sir Malcolm served as a government minister in both Margaret Thatcher and John Major’s Cabinets. He is currently the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary.
Nominations for the Conservative leadership contest close on Thursday and the first vote is due to take place on October 18. Michael Howard’s successor is expected to be announced on December 6.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 October 2005
‘Compelling vision’ needed for Conservatives
The Conservatives need more than a new leader in order to get back into government, the party chairman has warned. Speaking at the opening day of the Conservative party conference in Blackpool, Francis Maude said: “We need much more than a new leader. We need to show that we know and understand and can reflect today’s Britain.
‘Compelling vision’ needed for Conservatives
The Conservatives need more than a new leader in order to get back into government, the party chairman has warned. Speaking at the opening day of the Conservative party conference in Blackpool, Francis Maude said: “We need much more than a new leader. We need to show that we know and understand and can reflect today’s Britain.
19 October 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.
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.
24 February 2015
Sir Malcolm Rifkind Steps Down From Security Committee
Sir Malcolm Rifkind is to stand down as Chairman of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee over the controversy of a "cash-for-access" sting operation.
Sir Malcolm Rifkind Steps Down From Security Committee
Sir Malcolm Rifkind is to stand down as Chairman of Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee over the controversy of a "cash-for-access" sting operation.
29 November 2012
Three By-Elections Begin
Voting has commenced in three parliamentary by-elections. Polling stations in Croydon North, Middlesbrough and Rotherham are open until 11pm. The Croydon and Middlesbrough contests were triggered by the deaths of MPs Malcolm Wicks and Sir Stuart Bell. The contest in Rotherham is due to the resignation of Denis MacShane.
Three By-Elections Begin
Voting has commenced in three parliamentary by-elections. Polling stations in Croydon North, Middlesbrough and Rotherham are open until 11pm. The Croydon and Middlesbrough contests were triggered by the deaths of MPs Malcolm Wicks and Sir Stuart Bell. The contest in Rotherham is due to the resignation of Denis MacShane.
09 January 2006
Kennedy resignation leads to Lib Dem leadership contest
The Liberal Democrats are set for a leadership battle, following Charles Kennedy's resignation on Saturday. The party's deputy leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, is the only candidate to announce his intention to run for the leadership so far.
Kennedy resignation leads to Lib Dem leadership contest
The Liberal Democrats are set for a leadership battle, following Charles Kennedy's resignation on Saturday. The party's deputy leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, is the only candidate to announce his intention to run for the leadership so far.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
