Nicholas Soames withdraws from race for the 1922 chairmanship

At the beginning of April, ConHome revealed that Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames was to enter the fray for the chairmanship of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers.

However, today I can disclose that he has withdrawn from the race, leaving just two contenders: the MP for Altrincham and Sale West, Graham Brady, and Croydon South MP, Richard Ottaway.

Both Mr Brady and Mr Ottaway will be setting out their stalls later this week in articles to be published on ConservativeHome.

I suspect that Mr Soames will have come to the conclusion that he did not have enough support to have a serious prospect of winning. Certainly the word around the Commons is that a number of those whose support he might have been expected to attain had already indicated their intention to vote for Mr Ottaway.

The vote will take place on May 26th.

Jonathan Isaby