Tory hopefuls scramble for votes

Conservative MPs are due for two days of intensive arm twisting as they prepare for a re-run of the first round of balloting to choose the next party leader.

Michael Ancram and David Davis tied for last place in the five-way contest on Tuesday, but neither were prepared to stand down.

First round votes

Michael Portillo - 49

Iain Duncan Smith - 39

Ken Clarke - 36

David Davis - 21

Michael Ancram - 21

Mr Davis and Mr Ancram will also step up the lobbying of parliamentary colleagues knowing a single defection could mean the difference between staying in or being thrown out of the contest.

As expected, frontrunner Michael Portillo topped the poll - with 49 out of the 166 votes cast in the initial knock-out ballot of all Tory MPs.

There have been calls within the party for a change to the contest rules amid suggestions Tuesday's result will further dent the Tories' image.

Result defended

But Mr Ancram, former party chairman, insisted it showed they were democratic.

"We have been campaigning on serious issues, we've been doing it in a very dignified way, there hasn't been a lot of sniping at each other and I think that's very important.

I think it's very important that we show we are a democratic party, that we do take our leadership election seriously

Michael Ancram

"What we now need to do... is to spend the next 48 hours putting our case and I intend to do that and to come through."

Defending his decision to fight on, Mr Ancram claimed his appeal on a unity platform was gaining momentum.

Asked about the result Mr Portillo said: "It's exactly in line with our predictions and our canvassing."

He added: "I have always been convinced I can win but I have also always known this is a choice for the Conservative Party."

Endorsement

Iain Duncan Smith came second to Mr Portillo with 39 votes, followed closely by Ken Clarke on 36. Mr Ancram and Mr Davis came joint fourth with 21 votes each.

By Thursday, he might be like Goran Ivanisevic and win the whole thing

Peter Bottomley on Michael Ancram's candidature

After the result was declared, Mr Davis said he had received a lot of support from grassroots Tories.

"We are going to carry on. The pressure that has come is from the grassroots Tories," he said.

Mr Ancram insisted the number of votes he polled was an "endorsement" of his leadership campaign.

Carrying on

Peter Bottomley, one of Michael Ancram's supporters, said his contender had received 75% more support than people were predicting on Tuesday morning.

Michael Portillo: Topped the ballot

"By Thursday, he might be like Goran Ivanisevic and win the whole thing," said Mr Bottomley.

Mr Duncan Smith said his 39 votes had exceeded all predictions.

"I believe now we have the momentum to go on and possibly win this competition, I hope," he told BBC News.

Former chancellor Ken Clarke suggested that support for Mr Portillo was "falling away".

"I think I can pick up sufficient support to overtake Iain Duncan Smith," he said.

Final round

He said neither of the fourth place candidates could win the overall contest and he predicted he would make it into the final round of voting by party members and go on to win.

Asked if the inability of the Tory MPs to choose between the candidates was farcical, he insisted: "It shows there is life in the old party yet."

If Thursday's ballot again produces a tie for last place, both candidates will be ejected from the contest.

One or two further knock-out ballots will then take place until two candidates remain.

Party members across the country will choose the winner in a postal vote.

Their choice will be announced on 12 September, allowing the winner three weeks to get into his stride before making his leadership debut at the party's annual conference in October.