Reply #1: Rifkind Pulls Out Of Leadership Race

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Sir Malcolm Rifkind has withdrawn from the contest to become the new leader of the Conservative party, his campaign manager Crispin Blunt has said.Sir Malcolm had the backing of seven MPs but was trailing badly in opinion polls.His departure leaves David Cameron, Kenneth Clarke, David Davis and Liam Fox still in the running to succeed Michael Howard.

The candidates will watch with interest to see who Sir Malcolm decides to support, with Mr Clarke's supporters hoping he will throw his weight behind their candidate. However, there is speculation at Westminster that he may be planning to back Mr Cameron.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/11102005/140/rifkind-pulls-leadership-race.html

http://www.epolitix.com/EN/News/200510/a1277de4-3d30-4c00-9ed2-8e31d6bf8611.htm