Abstract
Since 1963, the British Conservative Party has repeatedly changed the way it selects its leader. In this article, I re-examine the history of Conservative leadership selection in British politics. I begin by analysing the informal system of leadership selection, known as the ‘magic circle’, whereby the Conservative leader ‘emerged’ from a shadowy process of consultation. I then consider the six elections between 1965 and 1997, when Conservative MPs – and they alone – chose the Party Leader. Finally, I explain and assess the impact of the ‘Hague rules’, according to which Party members have the final say, on Conservative leadership selection since 1998.
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Denham, A. From grey suits to grass roots: Choosing Conservative leaders. Br Polit 4, 217–235 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1057/bp.2009.5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/bp.2009.5