Conservative Party of Georgeland leadership election, 2006

The Conservative Party of Georgeland's election to replace Sam Richardson as leader will take place sometime during 2006, probably before June. Party rules stipulate the leadership cannot be vacant for more than three months, so the very latest an election can be held is July 15. The party's Administrative Committee will announce the election date by April 30.

Declared candidates
No Conservative MP has formally declared they will run in the election. Such declarations are unlikely until after Richardson's funeral, which will be held on Friday, 21st April.

Potential candidates

 * Luke Macaulay. The party's acting leader is considered the overwhelming front-runner in any contest. Young, dynamic, electable and moderate, Macaulay is considered by many as the best person to lead the party to an electoral victory. However, his liberalism may seek the right-wingers to find another candidate, and leadership elections in Georgeland are rarely unopposed.
 * Nick Sheridan. The far-right winger has long desired the party leadership, but has been hampered by his controversial comments on womens' issues, gay rights and abortion. Sheridan would not necessarily have the support he needs to mount a serious leadership campaign, after he resigned the deputy leadership in 2004.
 * Mary Byrne. Could run as a right-wing candidate; is declared by party insiders to want the top job back again.
 * Martin Higgins: The party chair who was demoted by Richardson has been considered a potential leadership candidate for several years.
 * Madeline Woods: Unlikely to run, especially against Macaulay, the 29 year-old MP has often been spoken of as leadership material.
 * James Bradford: Bradford is a middle-of-the-road Conservative who could emerge as a compromise candidate.
 * John Sutherland: The party's rules do not stipulate that the leader be a member of the House of Commons. If Sutherland, a Senator and former Chief Minister of Scoita were to run, he would have significant support. He would also, however, face the problem of leading from the Senate, a position which would prohibit him from becoming Prime Minister unless he stood for and won a House of Commons seat.