2003 Conservative Party leadership election

The 2003 Conservative Party leadership election was called in 2003 following the decision of Tom Makepeace, former foreign secretary and deputy prime minister, to challenge Francis Urquhart, the incumbent Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for leadership of the Conservative Party.

In the months leading up to the election, Urquhart was embattled and increasingly unpopular, and he was driven only by his desire to beat Margaret Thatcher's record for time served in office. He and Makepeace also had a rivalry, as they frequently clashed over Europe and various domestic policies. Makepeace was fired from the cabinet due to his opposition to Urquhart's plan to make English the official language of the European Union. He was offered the post of Education Secretary, but he instead chose to resign and return to the backbenches of the House of Commons, from where he opposed Urquhart's government.

Following his resignation, Makepeace challenged Urquhart for the leadership of the Conservative Party. Urquhart won the first leadership ballot but not by the required threshold, necessitating a second round. Urquhart's assassination led to Makepeace becoming Prime Minister unopposed.