Conservative MPs reclaim the power to choose leader

The move could hurt the ambitions of David Davis, whose support is strongest among party activists, although Tory insiders said last night that the shadow home secretary remains favourite to replace Michael Howard.

Before he gives up his post in the autumn, Mr Howard wants to replace the rules that allow grassroots Tories to pick a leader, a process that prompted the election of Iain Duncan Smith in 2001.

In a closed mee ting at Westminster last night, Tory MPs voted to scrap the old leadership system. The new rules they endorsed would oblige the MPs only to "consult" card-carrying members on their choice.

And MPs were clear last night that the consultation process would not give the membership a veto. "It means that we choose a leader, then go to the members and say: 'This is who gets the job, dear. Now go and have a sherry and don't bother yourself about it'," said one MP.

The rule endorsed by the parliamentary party will now go to the Conservatives' ruling board, which has the power to alter it before a special convention in September.

But MPs, many of whom regard the lengthy debate over party rules as an embarrassing distraction, are in no mood to see their plans changed.

"The board would be bloody mad to try to amend this," warned another MP.