John Redwood - encouraging result

Redwood Edges Dorrell in Mock Vote

The debate was organised in his Blaby constituency by Tory MP Andrew Robathan. Three of the contenders - Mr Redwood, Stephen Dorrell and Peter Lilley - were there in person, while the other three - Kenneth Clarke, Michael Howard and William Hague - sent their apologies and a written submission.

Around 200 activists from local constituency parties attended the meeting to hear what the candidates had to say. The vote was meant to be secret, but the result was discovered by the Press Association.

Mr Redwood apparently received 48 votes, just ahead of Mr Dorrell with 46 - both men belying their status of outsiders with the bookmakers. Mr Clarke was back in third with 15, though he can take consolation in performing best of those not present. Mr Lilley was only fourth on 12 votes, despite his personal presence, with Mr Hague in fifth with 11. Mr Howard, beset with troubles after the revelations of his former junior minister Anne Widdecombe, trailed well back in last with just two votes.

Blaby constituency chairman Michael Turnor said he supported the idea of giving local party members a say in the process the next time the leader was chosen. He said that Mr Robathan would not be bound by the views of the meeting when he came to cast his vote, but he had received "a clear indication of the feeling of the meeting".

In his address, Mr Redwood had concentrated on attacking Tony Blair's approach to Europe, saying the Prime Minister was "quite unaware" of the far-reaching powers Britain could surrender at next month's Amsterdam conference. He also stressed the need to recruit younger members to the party and improve public services.

Mr Dorrell said the party had to realise it had lost contact with its supporters on May 1. "It is no good saying they did not understand, it was the Conservative Party that did not understand," he argued. Mr Lilley also stressed the need to rebuild party support following the "chastening defeat".

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