2001 Conservative leadership election

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After the Conservative Party under William Hague failed to make any in-road into the Labour governments lead. Hague resigned, a leadership contest was called under new rules Hague had introduced and five candidates stepped forward Michael Ancram, David Davis, Kenneth Clarke, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Portillo.

Portillo missed out by one vote to take second place to Duncan Smith and along with Clarke there names were put to rank and file members (some 300,000).

The announcement of the result was delayed due to September 11th 2001 but Iain Duncan Smith emerged triumphant winning over 60% of the vote, although not a clear majority amongst MPs. Which many believe hampered the inexperienced leader and led to the coup which saw Michael Howard replace him in 2003.