Cameron elected leader of Conservative Party

David Cameron was elected as the leader of the Conservative Party following a competitive leadership election process. The election involved multiple ballots, with all Conservative Members of Parliament participating. In the initial rounds, Cameron secured a strong position, coming first in the second ballot with 90 votes, while his main rival, David Davis, received 57 votes. Liam Fox was eliminated in this round with 51 votes, leading to a final contest between Cameron and Davis. The decisive vote was open to the entire party membership, which resulted in Cameron receiving 134,446 votes, significantly surpassing Davis, who garnered 64,398 votes. This election marked a pivotal moment for the Conservative Party, as Cameron's leadership was seen as a shift towards modernizing the party's image and policies, appealing to a broader electorate. His victory was indicative of a desire for change within the party, reflecting the membership's support for a new direction in opposition to the then-governing Labour Party. Cameron's leadership would later influence the party's strategies and policies, particularly in the context of the political landscape at the time, which was characterized by challenges such as economic issues and public service reforms.