'Portillistas' back Davis for Tory leader

A clutch of Tory "modernisers" are ready to declare their support for David Davis as the next Tory leader, the Evening Standard has learned.

So-called "Portillista" MPs, who once backed Michael Portillo's bid for the top job, have decided that their home affairs spokesman offers the best chance of the party regaining power.

The backbenchers believe that rising Tory stars David Cameron, 38, and George Osborne, 33, are too young to take over the leadership.

They also feel that former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind is too old and too tainted by links to the Major government to reconnect with millions of voters lost to Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

The decision of some Portillistas to back Mr Davis, who is the favourite for the leadership, will surprise many of their colleagues. But the Davis camp is keen to prove that although their man is rooted on the Right of the party, he can gather together a broad coalition to take on the Government.

"DD [as Mr Davis is known] is the man for the job. He has the experience but also the right image we

need to get back in touch," one MP said. Another backbencher said: "The time just isn't right for Cameron and Osborne. They are extremely talented but in a parliamentary party with an average age over 50, they don't yet have the standing to lead."

No overt leadership campaign can begin until the party finally decides on its new rules for selecting a successor to Michael Howard.