Conservative Party Leadership Battle

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30811, 24 July 1965, Page 15

Conservative Party Leadership Battle

(N.Z.P-A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, July 23. Die fight r t^le Conservative Party leadership—and a chance to become Britain s next Prime Minister—begins todav. Within hours of Sir Alec Douglas-Home’s decision to give up the leadership, which he has held for 21 months, supporters of the main candidates began quiet lobbying among the 302 Conservative M.P.s who will vote for a new chief next Tuesday.

The two leading contenders are longstanding rivals: Reginald Maudling, aged 48, father of four, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer; and a bachelor, Edward Heath, aged 49, a former Secretary for Industry, who led Britain’s team in the unsuccessful attempt to join the European Common Market. Many political observers believe Mr Maudling has the edge on Mr Heath. In the background are two men widely considered to have

I the best outside chance as [compromise candidate. Thej | are Mr Christopher Soames , aged 45, son-in-law of the lat< | Sir Winston Churchill, anc Sir Edward Boyle, aged 42, i former Education Minister' Sir Alec Douglas-Home’s resignation headed off dangei of a revolt within the Conser vative leadership, which has divided over his political ability since he led the party to defeat last year. Sir Alec Douglas-Home had insisted two days ago that he would stay on. Asked tonight what made him reconsider, he said: “There is a possibility of an autumn election. If there is to be a new leader, he must have time to get into hi s stride. If there is no autumn election he will have longer. If a

i change was to be made, this was one of the times when it could be sensibly made.” Associated Press said that a campaign to ease Sir Alec Douglas-Home out of the leadership had been under way for months, and recently gained momentum. Whoever is chosen to succeed Sir Alec Douglas-Home will be the first Conservative leader ever to be elected by ballot. Sir Alec Douglas-Home himself ordered a new system of selection to be worked out after bitter criticisms of the veiled consultations which led to his own emergence as successor to Mr Harold McMillan. Ballot System To win on the first ballot, the top candidate must have both an overall majority and 15 per cent more of the votes cast than any other candidate. Few politicians expect any of the present likely candidates to win on the first round. If this is the case, a fresh se* of nominations must be made by Wednesday morning ready for a second ballot—and, if necessary, a third and final vote—on Thursday. The winning candidate will then be presented for election by acclamation at a party

meeting at which Conservative peers, prospective Parliamentary candidates, and constituency chiefs will join members of Parliament. The Associated Press said the Conservatives are looking for a man to match Mr Wilson’s rapier tongue in the daily cut and thrust of debate in the Commons. Matching Wilson Although the party has no deep ideological divisions, younger members especially felt that Sir Alec DouglasHome lacked both drama and a needed streak of ruthlessness. Sir Alec Douglas-Home emphasised yesterday that the decision to resign was “mine and mine alone,” and there is no evidence that he was forced out by any of the various alternative candidates for the leadership, Reuter reported. Sir Alec Douglas-Home originally agreed to become Conservative Party leader largely because of a strong sense of duty, party members close to him said last night. This feeling was also the overriding factor in his decision to resign, they said.