DAVID Cameron is the new leader of the Conservative Party.Following a six week campaign, the Shadow Education Secretary won the ballot of party members, defeating Shadow Home Secretary David Davis 134,446 to 64,398 following a six week campaign.

By Graham Dines

DAVID Cameron is the new leader of the Conservative Party.

Following a six week campaign, the Shadow Education Secretary won the ballot of party members, defeating Shadow Home Secretary David Davis 134,446 to 64,398 following a six week campaign.

The result was announced in the prestigious setting of the Royal Academy in the heart of London's West End by Sir Michael Spicer, chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs.

78% of the party's 253,000 eligible members voted in the postal ballot.

The 39 year-old MP for Witney faces his first big test tomorrow, when he faces Tony Blair in the Commons at midday.

Mr Cameron succeeds Michael Howard, who announced his intention to resign following Labour's third General Election victory.

Mr Howard said yesterday: “I hope and expect that our new leader will have the same level of support I had between the time I was elected and the General Election.”