Successful candidate, Archie Hamilton

1922 Elections Choses New Chairman

Sir Archie, 55, a former parliamentary private secretary to Margaret Thatcher, has much of the support of the party's right-wing.

His election took take place amid growing disarray within the party following its election defeat. Sir Archie will oversee the contest between the five candidates for the leadership of the party.

The issue of reforming the party has dominated the elections. Many leading Tories are unhappy that only MPs may elect the leader, arguing that the grassroots of the party should have a greater say.

Among the senior backers of reform are the party chairman, Brian Mawhinney, and leadership candidates Stephen Dorrell and William Hague. Dr Mawhinney has suggested that local constituency party chairmen should be given 15 per cent of the vote. He also said that such a change could be introduced without delaying the contest.

John Redwood, another leadership contender who challenged John Major in 1995, has urged the party to decide "quickly" on the method of electing the leader. He said there were just two alternatives: retaining the present system or introducing One Member, One Vote in addition to the votes of Tory MPs.

Sir Archie was a councillor for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. He was a Government whip for four years, before becoming a junior Defence Minister from 1986-87.

Then he became Parliamentary Private Secretary to Margaret Thatcher, before being appointed Minister of State for the Armed Forces.

In addition to defence, his other specialised interests include finance, economic policy and trade and industry issues. Sir Archibald is married with three children.