Osborne out of the running
Conservative Shadow Chancellor George Osborne has turned down the chance to contest the leadership of his party.
Mr Osborne told The Daily Telegraph he would not be standing in the leadership election – due to take place when the mechanism for deciding the leader has been reviewed – to find a successor to Michael Howard.
The 33-year old had been tipped as a possible contender for the post.
But the young MP for Tatton told the newspaper: “There has been some media speculation about what I would do, but I am making it clear I will not be a candidate.
“I have a big enough job being Shadow Chancellor, opposing Gordon Brown and developing an economic policy that broadens the appeal of the Conservative party.”
Declining the chance will raise questions on whether he has done so to clear the way for good friend 38-year-old Shadow Education Secretary David Cameron, who will be granted a free run as the “youth candidate”.
Kenneth Clarke, former Chancellor, has hinted that he may try for the leadership of the party for the third time.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Andrew Lansley are also tipped for the join the race.
David Davis, Shadow Home Secretary, remains the bookies’ favourite to succeed Mr Howard, followed by Dr Liam Fox.
