Conservative Party (UK) leadership election, 2005

The 2005 Conservative leadership election was announced by party leader Michael Howard on May 6 2005, when he announced that he would be stepping down as leader in the near future. However he stated that he would not depart until a review of the rules for the leadership election had been conducted, given much dissatisfaction about the current system.

Candidates

Confirmed they are standing

The following Conservatives have confirmed their intention to stand for the leadership:

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• David Cameron
• Kenneth Clarke
• David Davis
• Liam Fox
• Sir Malcolm Rifkind

Announced but then withdrew

The following Conservatives have previously announced they were standing but subsequently withdrew from the contest:

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• Alan Duncan

Potential Candidates

The following prominent Conservatives have been cited by several media organisations as potential candidates and have so far not declined:

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• Theresa May
• John Redwood
• Edward Leigh

Declined to run

The following prominent Conservatives have formally ruled themselves out of the running:

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• Michael Ancram
• Iain Duncan Smith
• William Hague
• Andrew Lansley
• Oliver Letwin
• George Osborne
• Tim Yeo
• David Willets