Directory of 1990 Resources

Home > Regional > Europe > United Kingdom > Society and Culture > Politics > Parties > Conservative Party > History > Leadership Contests > 1990

The Deputy Prime Minister, Sir Geoffrey Howe, resigned on 1 November 1990, but only made his resignation speech on 13 November 1990. Within a week Michael Heseltine announced that he would challenge Margaret Thatcher for the leadership of the party.

First ballot: 20 November 1990

• Margaret Thatcher 204
• Michael Heseltine 152
• Abstentions 6
• Void/Spoilt 17

A second ballot was required. Thatcher withdrew her candidacy on 22 November and two further candidates were nominated.

Second ballot: 27 November 1990

• John Major 185
• Michael Heseltine 131
• Douglas Hurd 56

A third ballot would have been necessary, but Michael Heseltine and Douglas Hurd withdrew from the contest in John Major's favour, who was declared elected.

Subcategories

• Heseltine, Michael
• Hurd, Douglas
• Major, John
• Thatcher, Margaret Hilda

Resources in This Category

• BBC On This Day: Thatcher fails to win party mandate

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/20/newsid_4318000/4318718.stm
  The Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, fails to win outright victory in her battle for the leadership of the Conservative Party on 20 November 1990.

• BBC On This Day: Thatcher Quits as Prime Minister

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/22/newsid_2549000/2549189.stm
  Margaret Thatcher is to stand down as prime minister after her cabinet refuses to back her in a second round of leadership elections on 22 November, 1990.

• BBC On This Day: Tories choose Major for Number 10

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/27/newsid_2528000/2528847.stm
  News of John Major winning the Conservatives' leadership elections and becoming the new prime minister on November 27, 1990.

• Time: Thatcher's Time to Go

  http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971829,00.html
  News of Margaret Thatcher facing a Tory revolt, then stepping aside.

 

Home > Regional > Europe > United Kingdom > Society and Culture > Politics > Parties > Conservative Party > History > Leadership Contests > 1990

 

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