Strafford

John Strafford, veteran campaigner for greater grassroots democracy in the party, said the system currently used for choosing leaders is an “absolute disaster”.

Under the current system, which was brought in by former leader William Hague, the best candidate does not necessarily win, argues Mr Strafford, who chairs the Conservative Democratic Organisation.

Richard Lewington, who chairs the Madrid branch of Conservatives Abroad, shared Mr Strafford’s unhappiness with the MPs getting to choose the final two, saying: “It should be a membership-led selection process.”

The general election threat the GOP faces comes from voters like Christine Stover of Strafford, in eastern New Hampshire near the border with Maine, who went out on a recent snowy evening to see Christie conduct a town hall at a barbecue restaurant in nearby Rochester — the last public event he held before quitting.

“At this time, I feel it is in the best interest of Strafford County, my subordinates, and the populations we serve that I step aside while I address allegations made against me,” Brave wrote in his letter.