 Howard: Will stand down within months |
Michael Howard is to stand down after the Tories' October conference, paving the way for a new leader by Christmas. Prior to the conference a convention is expected to decide on changes to the way the party chooses its leaders.
Mr Howard, 63, told the Daily Telegraph he wanted an "open and honest debate" about the future of the party and hoped to see a new leader by the end of 2005.
Most of Mr Howard's possible successors were given senior shadow cabinet jobs in a reshuffle on Tuesday.
One of the youngest MPs, 33-year-old George Osborne, was made shadow chancellor.
Former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind, back in the Commons after eight years, also has a front bench job shadowing David Blunkett at the Department for Work and Pensions.
Liam Fox, who was party co-chairman, becomes shadow foreign secretary. Francis Maude becomes party chairman and David Cameron, 38, takes on education.
All change
Former Tory deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine told BBC News: "I think it's a very dramatic re-shuffle. It's putting all the talent in the front line. It makes a nonsense of the suggestion that Michael [Howard] should go."
Mr Howard announced his plans to stand down after last week's general election defeat.
He said he would be too old to contest another election as leader, a decision which led Tory donor Lord Kalms to brand him a "lame duck".
The current Tory leadership selection system, means MPs narrow the choice to two candidates and party members have the final say.
Former leader William Hague, who introduced the system, says it should change so MPs make the final choice.
He backed Mr Howard's handover timetable, telling BBC News: "It does give the party time to reflect and to view the alternative candidates."
Mr Hague said he would not be a candidate for the leadership, however many people asked him, nor had he decided which contender he would support.
'Work to be done'
Mr Osborne will be staring across the Despatch Box at Gordon Brown, who in his eight years as chancellor has already seen off Tory hopefuls including Oliver Letwin, Mr Howard, Michael Portillo and Mr Maude.
 | SHADOW CABINET Shadow chancellor - George Osborne Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury - Philip Hammond Shadow foreign secretary - Liam Fox Education - David Cameron Work and pensions - Sir Malcolm Rifkind Defence - Michael Ancram Shadow home secretary - David Davis Rural affairs - Oliver Letwin Northern Ireland - David Lidington Chief whip - David Maclean Family - Theresa May Health - Andrew Lansley Constitutional affairs - Oliver Heald Transport - Alan Duncan Shadow Commons leader - Chris Grayling International development - Andrew Mitchell Deregulation - John Redwood Local and devolved government - Caroline Spelman |
Oxford-educated Mr Osborne said he wanted to help broaden the appeal of the Conservative party through his economic policies.
He said there was nothing to do about his age, adding: "It is a great opportunity and I am going to take it on and bash Brown at the despatch box," he said.
David Davis, the bookmakers' favourite to be the next leader, remains shadow home secretary.
Former shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin said he had asked to be effectively demoted to the environment, food and rural affairs portfolio.
He said he had had his say on economic questions. His new role was of huge importance in his constituency and he thought the Tories could develop a distinctive view on the environment, he said.
There have been reports that Mr Letwin wants to return to being a director of merchant bank NM Rothchild but he said he did not know whether he would do other things.
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It does give the party time to reflect and to view the alternative candidates
