The 2001 Conservative Party leadership election was held after the party failed to make inroads into the Labour government's lead in the 2001 general election. Party leader William Hague resigned, and
Iain Duncan Smith Nightingale 1
Michael Portillo by Regents College cropped
David Davis
Global Strategy Forum cropped
Iain Duncan Smith
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Sir George Iain Duncan Smith, often referred to by his initials IDS, is a British politician who was Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003. He was Secretary o
2001 Conservative Party leadership election
…and a leadership contest was called under new rules Hague had introduced. Five candidates came forward: Michael Ancram, David Davis, Kenneth Clarke, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Portillo. This was the first Conservative Party leadership election held under new rules. Duncan Smith was announced winner of the election…
Official portrait, 2020
Duncan Smith with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2003
Duncan Smith at Nightingale House, London, in March 2010 in his role as Chair of the Social Justice Policy Group
Duncan Smith in 2015