| Chairman of the Conservative Party | |
|---|---|
 Logo for the Conservative Party | |
  | |
| Appointer | Leader of the Conservative Party |
| Term length | At the pleasure of the Leader of the Conservative Party |
| Inaugural holder | Arthur Steel-Maitland |
| Formation | 1911 |
| Deputy | Jack Lopresti Nickie Aiken Jonathan Gullis Matt Vickers |
The chairman of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom is responsible for party administration and overseeing the Conservative Campaign Headquarters, formerly Conservative Central Office.
When the Conservatives are in government, the officeholder is usually a member of the Cabinet holding a sinecure position such as Minister without Portfolio. Deputy or Vice Chairmen of the Conservative Party may also be appointed, with responsibility for specific aspects of the party. The Chairman of the Conservative Party is Nigel Huddleston, assuming this role on 4 November 2024.
The role of Deputy Chairman is currently held by seven former MPs, Sara Britcliffe, James Daly, Angela Richardson, Rachel Maclean (Women), Jack Lopresti, Nickie Aiken (Party Board) and Jonathan Gullis.
The role was created in 1911 in response to the Conservative party's defeat in the second 1910 general election. The position is not subject to election, as it is given by the party leader.[1]
- ^ Harris, Robin (2011). The Conservatives – A History. London: Bantam Press. ISBN 9780593065112.
(p. 249) After the second election defeat of 1910 there was an unstoppable pressure for an enquiry into the party's failures. A committee recommended that two new posts be created - that of party treasurer and that of chairman of the party (enjoying 'Cabinet rank'). ... Balfour accepted the changes but tried to reduce the status of the chairman, a position which he significantly (and permanently) re-titled 'chairman of the party organization'. He also concealed, as long as he could, the 'Cabinet rank' pledge. Finally he appointed a rather junior but, as it turned out, vigorous and assertive Birmingham member of parliament, Arthur Steel-Maitland, to the chairmanship.