It's now official - David Willetts is endorsing David Davis. David Willetts is the first leadership contender, with parliamentary backing, to quit the race. There are now five contenders (with parliamentary backers) still in the race: David Davis, David Cameron, Ken Clarke, Liam Fox and Sir Malcolm Rifkind. It is not clear who David Willetts' four backers will support. This rolling update will identify them if and when they - and others - declare.
David Davis (65)
- David Amess (2/10)
- Richard Bacon
- John Baron (2/10)
- Sir Paul Beresford (2/10)
- Graham Brady
- Julian Brazier
- Dr Greg Clark (24/9)
- Derek Conway
- David Davies
- Philip Davies
- David Davis
- Nadine Dorries
- Jonathan Djanogly
- James Duddridge
- Nigel Evans
- David Evenett
- Michael Fallon
- Mark Field (25/9)
- Eric Forth
- Roger Gale
- David Gauke (2/10)
- Cheryl Gillan (22/9)
- Paul Goodman
- Damian Green
- Dominic Grieve (22/9)
- Philip Hammond
- Nick Herbert
- Mark Hoban (25/9) - former DW supporter
- Philip Hollobone
- Adam Holloway (6/10)
- Stewart Jackson (24/9 in Peterborough Evening News)
- David Jones
- Julie Kirkbride
- Greg Knight
- Ian Liddell-Grainger (19/9)
- David Lidington (25/9) - former DW supporter
- Tim Loughton (19/9)
- Andrew Mackay (20/9)
- Anne Main
- Humphrey Malins (22/9)
- John Maples
- Patrick Mercer
- Andrew Mitchell
- Malcolm Moss (2/10)
- Andrew Murrison (30/9)
- Richard Ottaway (21/9)
- James Paice (2/10)
- Mike Penning (2/10)
- Eric Pickles
- Mark Pritchard
- David Ruffley
- Lee Scott
- Mark Simmonds (19/9)
- Keith Simpson (23/9)
- Richard Spring
- Robert Syms (19/9)
- Ian Taylor
- Shailesh Vara
- Charles Walker
- Ben Wallace (2/10)
- Bill Wiggin
- David Willetts
- David Wilshire
- Ann Winterton (2/10)
- Nicholas Winterton (21/9)
David Cameron (27)
- Peter Ainsworth (10/10)
- Tony Baldry
- Greg Barker
- Richard Benyon
- Sir John Butterfill (29/9)
- David Cameron
- Alan Duncan (6/10)
- Tobias Ellwood
- Nick Gibb MP (7/10)
- Michael Gove
- James Gray (6/10)
- Jeremy Hunt (6/10)
- Boris Johnson
- Mark Lancaster (6/10)
- Oliver Letwin
- Peter Luff
- David Mundell (5/10)
- George Osborne
- Andrew Robathan
- Hugh Robertson (29/9)
- Grant Shapps (6/10)
- Nicholas Soames (29/9)
- Hugo Swire
- Ed Vaizey
- Peter Viggers (8/10)
- Theresa Villiers (5/10)
- Jeremy Wright (7/10)
Kenneth Clarke (20)
- John Bercow
- Alistair Burt
- James Clappison (1/10)
- Kenneth Clarke
- David Curry
- Quentin Davies MP (28/9)
- Stephen Dorrell
- Edward Garnier (10/10)
- John Greenway (7/10)
- John Gummer
- Charles Hendry (16/9 - was backing David Willetts)
- John Horam (28/9)
- Michael Mates (28/9)
- Anthony Steen
- Andrew Tyrie
- Robert Walter
- Nigel Waterson (30/9)
- Ann Widdecombe
- Tim Yeo
- Sir George Young (28/9)
Liam Fox (15)
- David Burrowes (10/10)
- Stephen Crabb (6/10)
- Liam Fox
- Chris Grayling
- Justine Greening
- Greg Hands
- Stephen Hammond (6/10)
- Mark Harper (6/10)
- Oliver Heald
- Eleanor Laing
- Daniel Kawczynski
- Brooks Newmark (6/10)
- Stephen O’Brien
- Gary Streeter
- Desmond Swayne
Sir Malcolm Rifkind (7)
- Michael Ancram (7/10)
- Crispin Blunt
- Peter Bottomley
- Sir Patrick Cormack (7/10)
- Jacqui Lait
- Andrew Pelling
- Sir Malcolm Rifkind.
The rolling update for when David Willetts was still in the race can be accessed here.
Quentin Davies also signed the letter to The Times backing Ken Clarke
Posted by: Tim Hughes | 28 September 2005 at 14:25
Two new supporters for Cameron at his website:
http://www.cameroncampaign.org/
We have Nicholas Soames and Sir John Butterfill.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 29 September 2005 at 15:41
Cameron has 3 new backers on his website:
http://www.cameroncampaign.org
They are Hugh Robertson, Nicholas Soames and Sir John Butterfill.
Posted by: Coffee Monster | 29 September 2005 at 15:42
Missed Robertson! They've somewhat bizarrely not listed them by surname. How... erm... modern.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 29 September 2005 at 15:45
Does anyone know who Caroline Spelman is supporting? A random question but she has been a good front bench performer and would be a powerful backer.
Posted by: Hugh Field | 30 September 2005 at 10:03
Nigel Waterson has backed Clarke according to The Independent:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article316114.ece
Posted by: Coffee Monster | 30 September 2005 at 10:56
There's a surprise. Former Heseltine PPS backs Clarke.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 30 September 2005 at 11:08
I see Cameron's 3 new backers have been promptly added to the list of "Who is backing who".
But Quentin Davies who signed the letter to The Times on Wednesday has still not been added to the list.
Please can someone inform the editor so that Quentin Davies (and Nigel Waterson - see comment above) can both now be added in order to correct the list.
Posted by: Bristol | 30 September 2005 at 13:20
The Conservative MP for Westbury, Dr Andrew Murrison, has declared his support for David Davis. He writes in his column in the local paper this week (http://www.andrewmurrison.co.uk/letter.htm):
"Turning now to my own party's little local difficulty – what looks like being the longest leadership election campaign ever. I can tell you that I'm not a happy bunny and wish to goodness that this matter had been resolved months ago. Still, we are where we are and I hope the admirable David Davis ends up being Leader of the Opposition."
He also says that he has signed his nomination papers, so one must wonder how many others in the same position aren't yet identified on this rolling update?
Posted by: Duncan | 30 September 2005 at 16:06
"Does anyone know who Caroline Spelman is supporting? A random question but she has been a good front bench performer and would be a powerful backer."
It won't be John Redwood ;-)
Cheap shots aside, I fully agree with your comments about Caroline Spelman. If the Conservatives want to win back female voters, the next leader would do well to give higher-profile roles to the likes of Caroline Spelman, Theresa May and Julie Kirkbride.
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | 30 September 2005 at 22:23
"the next leader would do well to give higher-profile roles to the likes of Caroline Spelman, Theresa May and Julie Kirkbride."
I certainly agree that Caroline Spelman should have a higher profile job, she is consistantly a strong performer and comes accross very well. As for Julie Kirkbride, her exit from Howard's shadow cabinet was one of the worst moments of Howards leadership and she should definately return to the front bench.
Then there is Theresa May, about whow I really can't make my mind up. Although she comes accross very well and probably appeals to non tory voters I am always left with the impression that she is slighly out of her depth. I can't think of a job she has done well.
Posted by: Richard Allen | 30 September 2005 at 22:37
James Clappison has backed Clarke according to The Independent:
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article316364.ece
Posted by: Coffee Monster | 01 October 2005 at 07:54
The Guardian is also saying that Jeremy Wright has declared for Fox after all:
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/conservatives/story/0,9061,1582555,00.html
However, it's possible they got their information from this site earlier.
Posted by: Coffee Monster | 01 October 2005 at 08:28
I think I am owed an apology after all. I found it highly offensve that my information was called into question.
Posted by: John Coulson | 01 October 2005 at 11:19
Clappison has backed Clarke in the past. Ken needs to unveil new supporters not retreads.
Posted by: Selsdon Man | 01 October 2005 at 11:26
I am really worried about Dr. Fox's campaign. This is the candidate I am backing and his campaign doesn't appear to be picking up any momentum.
Do you think that it might start to pick up after the conference or will it stall?
I met the man on Thursday and I firmly believe he is the man to lead us to Election Victory in 2010 against Gordon.
Dan
Posted by: Dan | 01 October 2005 at 12:54
Well it appears that the financial backers of the Party are lining up against Clarke.
Is it possible that he won't even see it through the first round?
Dan
Posted by: Dan | 01 October 2005 at 13:03
Dan,
I understand that talks between Fox, Cornerstone and the Telegraph nine are still ongoing (code for persuading Leigh not to run and instead endorse Dr Fox).
Also there may be tactical considerations. Cameron announced new supporters this week, for example, and it went unnoticed what with both launches and the ongoing Davis unveilings.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 01 October 2005 at 13:23
Dan: Today's Sun has a 'fifty MPs to back Fox' story. I think that unlikely but if he gains the backing of a dozen Cornerstone folk Fox still has a reasonable chance of getting to the final run-off.
Posted by: Editor | 01 October 2005 at 13:30
Do you think that Fox can make it to the final two?
It seems to me that Clarke Support is shrinking, the question is, if it is where does he pledge his support?
I don't think will get it as he is Eurosceptic among other things. Thw question after that is can Fox hold out against Rifkind, its looking good on that front at the moment but who knows.
If Rifkind does stand aside, is he more likely to back Davis as he is the favourite and might want to get onside in the hope of a decent job...?
I suppose the conference will make a lot of difference to all concerned.
Dan
Posted by: Dan | 01 October 2005 at 13:30
>>Dan: Today's Sun has a 'fifty MPs to back Fox' story. I think that unlikely but if he gains the backing of a dozen Cornerstone folk Fox still has a reasonable chance of getting to the final run-off.<<
This is excellent news, lets hope there is some truth in it.
Dan
Posted by: Dan | 01 October 2005 at 13:31
...and on the continuing saga of Jeremy Wright MP I'm investigating why The Guardian has written what it has. It may be acting on new information?
I don't so much disbelieve you Mr Coulson - I just have NO idea who you are... and I had been told by two good sources that Mr Wright was undecided. The Guardian story has sent me back to my sources...
Posted by: Editor | 01 October 2005 at 13:34
I would think that Rifkind's One Nation position has more in common with the Cameron campaign than anyone elses. Rifkind has a lot to offer the new leader.
Another interesting decision in the race for 2nd spot will be Andrew Lansley, a Clarke Supporter in the past but also someone who embraces the modernising message. likely to back Ken, but possible he may side with Cameron.
Posted by: AnotherNick | 01 October 2005 at 13:38
Today's Sun has a 'fifty MPs to back Fox'
I think it's pretty clear who The Sun is backing!
You might scoff at the fifty figure, but thirty MPs has been the one bandied around, and that seems perfectly attainable. If it doesn't already include the undeclared members of Cornerstone and the Telegraph Nine, then fifty votes is a real possibility. Unless those two groups do declare for him, it will remain just that.
Posted by: James Hellyer | 01 October 2005 at 13:46
"Meanwhile Nigel Waterson, the Eurosceptic MP for Eastbourne, backed Mr Clarke, underlining the former Chancellor's growing appeal across the party."
Editor, you've missed this from the Independent yesterday.
Posted by: Daniel Vince-Archer | 01 October 2005 at 13:56