Tory leadership starts with confusion

Ancram tied with Davis in last place

		By Nick Assinder BBC News Online political correspondent

The Tory party was once the most formidable election winning machine in Britain.

It now appears unable to organise an poll-up in its own party.

The result of the first ballot of the leadership contest only served to confirm the popular view that the Tories have no idea where they want to go after two historic election defeats.

The man everyone believed was in pole position, reformed right-winger Michael Portillo, easily won the first ballot. But his vote fell far short of expectations.

Clarke came third

Unreformed right-winger Iain Duncan Smith - otherwise known as "Norman Tebbit's representative on Earth" - came second, beating the alleged people's favourite Ken Clarke into third place.

And, in a result that appeared to show complete confusion amongst the ranks, the MPs cast David Davis and Michael Ancram as joint losers.

Dazed and confused

Mr Davis immediately refused to concede defeat - claiming he could still be the dark horse to gallop to victory.

And that could mean the whole process has to be run again.

Just at the time when the Tories want to look positive, forward looking and decisive, they appear to be dazed and confused.

Portillo still leading the pack

Meanwhile, the different camps were totting up the figures desperately trying to work out how they will fare in the second ballot on Thursday.

Michael Portillo has been confirmed as the front runner but knows he still has to push his case.

Kenneth Clarke and Iain Duncan Smith know they are battling it out for second place.

Worst fears

They will now be concentrating their fire on those Tory MPs who have supported Mr Ancram and Mr Davis, in a desperate battle to win them over to their side.

Mr Clarke will be disappointed that he did not come second, and his worst fears that the right wing may yet do him in through tactical voting in the next rounds may well prove founded.

But for most casual observers, the first round of this contest has proved two things.

Firstly, the Tory party appears to be a shambles and, secondly, this is still a fight over who will face Michael Portillo in the final ballot - Ken Clarke or Iain Duncan Smith.