Hello all,
My first post.

A line of reasoning has lead me to questions (bottom of post) based on the connections of IDS with personalties in the BNP. Having one on his campaign team and fighting against his spouse in the 2001 election campaign !!


Background. Taken from BBC websites:

"Mr Duncan Smith was elected by constituency vote two years ago - the first leader of the Conservative Party to be directly chosen by members.


He received 155,933 votes, 61% of the total against 100,864 , 39%, given to his rival, the former cabinet minister Kenneth Clarke."



Later with Howard assuming the leadership:


A statement from the Conservative Board said: "The Board has received overwhelming representations from the Party at large, and, in line with these representations, has decided not to initiate a formal postal ratification ballot.
"There will be an informal consultation of party members over the weekend to give the voluntary party the opportunity to show, like the parliamentary party, that it is fully united behind the new Leader.

Mr Howard had the support of more than 130 of the 165 Tory MPs, his campaign team said."


My questions are:
1/ How did grass roots Tories feel about Howard replacing Duncan Smith ?
2/ Can anyone describe /provide a link to Conservative leadership election methods and the way they have changed in recent history ?

3/ I note a large donor was said to be "unhappy" with IDS. How much input and influence do "donors" have in perhaps circumventing local feelings about who gets to lead the party ?

4/ Any theories on why Edgar Griffin was on IDS campaign team and why his wife Jean stood against IDS ?

Many Thanks
Simon