1990 Conservative Party leadership election

The 1990 Conservative Party leadership election was called on 14 November 1990 following the decision of Michael Heseltine, former defence and environment secretary, to challenge Margaret Thatcher, the incumbent Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for leadership of the Conservative Party.

1990 Conservative Party leadership election
20–27 November 1990 (1990-11-20 – 1990-11-27)
 
Candidate John Major Michael Heseltine
First ballot Did not enter 152 (40.9%)
Second ballot 185 (49.7%) 131 (35.2%)
Third ballot Unopposed Withdrew
 
Candidate Douglas Hurd Margaret Thatcher
First ballot Did not enter 204 (54.8%)
Second ballot 56 (15.1%) Withdrew
Third ballot Withdrew Withdrew
Leader before election

Margaret Thatcher

 Elected Leader

John Major

In the months leading up to the election, Thatcher's position was slipping due to her increasingly divisive and confrontational approach in the United Kingdom. Her Community Charge had proven to be highly unpopular and resulted in widespread riots across the country, while her Euroscepticism had begun to become a detriment to the Conservatives. The economy, which was booming, had started to enter the early stages of a recession due to high inflation. The tipping point came in October when Thatcher infamously refused the European Community's plans for further integration, prompting her longest serving minister Geoffrey Howe to resign. Immediately following his resignation, Heseltine challenged Thatcher to a contest in November.

Thatcher failed to win outright on the first ballot, missing the threshold by just four votes, and was persuaded to withdraw from the second round of voting to avoid a potential defeat. She announced her resignation on 22 November 1990, ending more than fifteen years as Conservative leader and eleven years as prime minister.

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