Conservative MPs have voted overwhelmingly to support a radical shake-up in the way the party leader is chosen.

They are supporting changes which will allow a contest at any time, said backbench 1922 Committee chairman Sir Archie Hamilton, but a challenge must receive the backing of a quarter of the parliamentary party.

The Tories also backed a system giving party activists a say for the first time, with a "one member, one vote" ballot of all members in the second round of any leadership contest.

The new second round "popular" ballot was backed by 102 votes, with just one abstention and two spoilt papers.

The change will bring to an end the existing monopoly of MPs in choosing the party leader.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©