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David Cameron has won an internal party debate about how a key backbench Tory committee is run.
The prime minister successfully pushed through a change in the rules of the 1922 committee that will allow ministers to have a vote.
Traditionally MPs on the government payroll have been excluded from taking part in the committee's proceedings.
At a meeting held this morning in the Commons, Conservative MPs backed the move 168 to 118.
Crucially the rule change will allow members of Cameron's government to vote on who the new chairman should be.
The leadership's preferred candidate, Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway, is facing a challenge from right-winger Graham Brady.
The Altrincham and Sale West MP has been critical of the Tory high command, and has already said he would have preferred a minority Conservative government than the coalition with the Lib Dems.
The election of the new chairman will take place on May 26.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd