Hague: backed by Howard and Lilley

Lilley and Howard Quit Leadership Race

Peter Lilley and Michael Howard have both decided to withdraw from the second round of the leadership race. They've both announced that they are backing William Hague.

These manoeuvrings follow the results of the first round in which Kenneth Clarke got the most votes. The results were announced by the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Archie Hamilton: Mr Clarke received 49 votes, eight more than his nearest rival, William Hague, who had 41. John Redwood scored 27, Peter Lilley 24 and Michael Howard had tthe smallest number with 23.

Results announced

Mr Lilley issued a statement which said: "I am grateful to those who voted for me and worked so hard for my campaign. I will not be standing in the second round of the leadership election. My aims have always been to reunite, to rebuild and renew the Conservative Party. I believe William Hague is now best placed to achieve those objectives and win the general election."

It went on: "Having worked closely with him in the past, I greatly admire his abilities and propose to give him my support."

Mr Howard also broke the news by issuing a statement. It read: "Following today's result, I have decided to withdraw and support William Hague. I believe he is best placed to unite the party and lead us to victory at the next election."

Hague thanks Lilley and Howard

Mr Hague was clearly delighted by developments. But when he was asked if he thought it was in the bag, he said: "No, no no. We don't count any chickens before they are hatched."

"I said earlier after the result of the first ballot that I was delighted with the result which exceeded expectations and that I would go into the second ballot with a great deal of confidence. Now Mr Lilley and Mr Howard have said they are withdrawing from the contest, and I am very grateful to have their support. I am grateful, too, for the friendly way they have conducted this contest and I would like to pay tribute to them. So, now I go into the second ballot with still greater confidence," he added.

Clarke: First Round Victory

After the result, Mr Clarke said: "I am extremely pleased to be heading the field in the Parliamentary party's vote and among the voluntary party. I am grateful to my colleagues and all those Conservative Party members who supported me."

He went on: "I have today topped the poll in every test of Conservative opinion. I am very encouraged by the breadth of the support I have attracted, which is much stronger than I dared to expect when this campaign started. The Conservative Party should now unite to fight Labour."

He is now seeking to attract support from all sections of the party. "I intend to seek to broaden my appeal further by setting out how I intend to lead this party on an inclusive basis. The leadership of the party must attract and draw on the talents of every strand of opinion within the Conservative tradition."

Redwood: rebuffed

Redwood: I'll be generous to Howard and Lilley

Mr Redwood, who came third in the ballot, had earlier urged Mr Lilley and Mr Howard to join his campaign - an invitation they have chosen to turn down. There has, so far, been no comment from his camp.

The announcements by Mr Lilley and Mr Howard do not mean that the 24 votes the former won today and the 23 votes the latter won will be transferred automatically to Mr Hague. But the endorsements are a massive boost to him and hand him a real chance of overhauling Mr Clarke in the second or third ballots which will take place on Tuesday and, if necessary, on Thursday of next week.

Mr Hague was made odds-on favourite for the Tory leadership after the withdrawal of Mr Howard and Mr Lilley. Bookmakers William Hill quoted Mr Hague at 4-5, with Kenneth Clarke, the earlier favourite, at 11-10, and John Redwood 7-1. Immediately after the first ballot, Mr Hague had been 5-4 and Mr Redwood was 6-1. Mr Clarke had been quoted at 4-5.