Tories plan to change the way leader is chosen

A change in the Conservative Party rules for electing its leader is on the agenda for a post-mortem if the Tories are defeated on polling day on Thursday.

A change in the Conservative Party rules for electing its leader is on the agenda for a post-mortem if the Tories are defeated on polling day on Thursday.

Michael Howard issued a defiant rallying call to his supporters yesterday, but Tory factions are already plotting for the inquest in the event of an unprecedented third Conservative defeat.

Many Tories want to change the leadership rules so that Conservative MPs regain control from the party membership over the final choice of the leader. The Independent has learnt that a review of the election system is likely to be put on the agenda for the Conservative Party board, which includes the party's most senior figures, including Liam Fox and Lord Saatchi, the joint chairmen of the party.

A former minister said: "A review of the rules is going to be put on the agenda. Nearly all MPs I have spoken to want the system changed so that we get the final say over the leader in future."

It is likely that the Tories will be able to claim some success on Friday by cutting Tony Blair's majority and Mr Howard will not resign in the aftermath of a defeat, as did his predecessor, William Hague, who announced that he was quitting the day after the 2001 election.

The current Tory leader will be urged by many to stay on for at least a year. He is widely praised for the way he has pulled the Tories together after replacing Iain Duncan Smith, but some of Mr Howard's allies believe the party will have to carry out a searching review that will take up to a year.

One senior Tory said: "I would like Michael to stay on for at least the calendar year. But we do need a thorough inquest.

"If Labour win again on Thursday, it will be the first time in our history that we have been defeated three times in a row. That will be a shattering blow, whatever Blair's majority."

Some senior Tories are holding their fire until after polling day, but privately are furious that Mr Howard vetoed bigger tax cuts. A Tory supporter on BBC radio's Election Call said Tory candidates were "frightfully depressed" that Mr Howard had "shot himself in the foot" last week over the Iraq war, by supporting regime change, although it was illegal.

Mr Howard appeared at his rally in London yesterday surrounded by his family, including his wife, Sandra, and his grandchildren. He set out the most detailed timetable so far for action if the Conservatives win the election, but many of the programmes would not start until the end of the year.

Timetable of promises

* On 9 May, the Tories would set out plans to stop police officers having to fill in forms when they stop someone on the street

* By 6 June, they will have put matrons in charge of cleaning hospital wards

* A 24-hour surveillance scheme to secure Britain's borders will be "set in train" by the same date and will be operating at the UK's 35 major ports of entry by 6 April next year

* Headteachers will be given control over the expulsion of school pupils by 1 December

* By 1 April next year, up to five million pensioners will receive new council tax bills showing a discount of up to £500

* Stamp duty will be abolished on houses costing up to £250,000 by 6 April

* By 1 September next year, tuition fees will be scrapped

* The Border Control Police will be operating by 31 December next year