London: In a day of high drama, Tory MPs dumped their leader Ian Duncan Smith in a confidence vote last night (Oct 29) and the shadow Chancellor Michael Howard has emerged as the next leader of the party.

Within minutes of losing the confidence vote by 75 to 90 votes in a secret ballot, Smith who headed the party for 777 days, announced his decision to resign once the new leader is announced.

The speed with which 62-year-old Howard, son of Transylvanian parents, emerged as the unity candidate surprised political observers. It had been widely expected that the party would be plunged into its fourth leadership contest in eight years, which could have left it effectively leaderless until close to Christmas.

However, according to reports in a leading tabloid it was clear senior Tories had plotted to hand him the crown even as they vowed their support of Smith.

Minutes after knifing their hapless leader in a confidence vote, former Tory Chairman Davis, 54, withdrew from the race and backed Howard.

He was quickly joined by other possible contenders Oliver Letwin, Stephen Dorrell, Liam Fox, Tim Yeo and Michael Ancram, making the shadow Chancellor odds-on-favourite.

PTI