London - More than half of all eligible Conservative Party members have cast their votes in the Tory leadership contest already. Party leaders revealed yesterday that by the halfway stage, 181,300 ballot papers had been returned, 57 per cent of the possible total.
Acting chairman, Mr David Prior, said the figures proved the enthusiasm of party members to use their right to choose a leader for the first time. Conservatives have until September 11th to post their votes, with the winner expected to be announced the next day.