Tory party chair: runners and riders

So. Farewell then Oliver Dowden. The Hertsmere MP resigned as co-chairman of the Conservative party this morning, following last night’s by-election defeats in Tiverton and Wakefield. He was appointed to the post in September and was tasked with guiding the Tory machine through the mid-term blues and focus CCHQ on winning the next general election. Now though, he’s gone, and a successor must be appointed.

The Tories have opted in recent years to adopt a co-chairmanship model. Typically one is an oleaginous, wealthy individual whose job is to raise funds from other oleaginous, wealthy individuals. This role was performed with aplomb by Lord Feldman during the Cameron years and is now filled by Ben Elliot. The other co-chairman is usually an ambitious loyalist, willing to do the thankless task of the morning media round and deliver a decent stump speech on the reception circuit.

At election time, the chairmanship is critical and can act as a springboard to higher office: Cecil Parkinson made his name in 1983 and would have secured a Great Office of State, had it not been for his affair.