Leadership contenders David Cameron and David Davis are through to a run-off vote of the Conservative Party's 300,000 members after a ballot of MPs.
Mr Cameron topped the poll, taking 90 of a possible 198 votes, while Mr Davis
was second on 57. Rival Liam Fox was eliminated after gaining 51 votes.
Mr Cameron, 39, and Mr Davis, 56, will now enter a six week head-to-head campaign to woo the party grassroots.
The result of the vote of Conservative members is expected on 6 December.
Forecasts
Speaking shortly after the result a smiling Mr Cameron said he wanted to be
a "voice for change, optimism and hope".
He wanted to make the Conservatives a "21st-Century party that's modern" and "understands the hopes and dreams of people".
He was followed shortly after by Mr Davis who told the reporters waiting outside the Commons that he wanted the party to "reach the parts of Britain it hasn't reached before".
He added that Mr Cameron's support had "fallen a little short of their own forecasts" and said he planned to fight on.
In the first ballot of Tory MPs on Tuesday, Mr Davis came top with 62 votes, followed by Mr Cameron on 56 and Dr Fox on 42.
Ex-chancellor Ken Clarke was knocked out with 38 votes.
Caretaker
Mr Cameron, shadow education secretary, had been the bookmakers' favourite
in the wake of a well received Conservative Party conference speech earlier
this month.
Mr Davis, the shadow home secretary and early favourite for the contest, had seen his campaign lose momentum following a speech to the party's annual conference which some observers judged as disappointing.
Dr Fox, the shadow foreign secretary, had hoped to gain enough defectors from Mr Davis to get through.
The two remaining contenders are due to meet party officials on Friday to discuss arrangements for a nationwide series of hustings.
Michael Howard, who has formally resigned as leader, will carry on in a caretaker
role until the final result is known.
© Gigaware™ Ltd 2005