While falling short of the support needed to form the next government, Michael Howard has put the Conservatives on the road to recovery.

By mid-morning on Friday, the Conservatives had secured an additional 33 seats and reduced Tony Blair's majority to an estimated 66 seats.

But that result did not stop Howard announcing his decision to step down from the leadership as soon as the party can consider the rules for a new leadership election.

Under previous leader Iain Duncan Smith the party had appeared on the verge of self-destruction.

But Howard has overseen a reorganisation of Central Office, cracked down on indiscipline and adopted a controversial and high-risk election strategy that has put his party within striking distance of Labour for the next election.

While there are questions over whether the party has managed to broaden its appeal - its share of the vote was still on 33 per cent - many Tories will view the result as the best that could realistically have been achieved.

Late starter

A comparative late starter in politics Michael Howard entered parliament at Labour's low water mark in 1983.

The most Thatcherite of the so-called Cambridge mafia he rose quickly and made his name in Thatcher's and then Major's governments, latterly as a high profile home secretary.

However his experience in government has been something of a double-edged sword as his opponents have been able to point to a record that includes introducing the poll tax.

The 64-year-old has also struggled to lose the "something of the night" tag attached to him by Ann Widdecombe.

When the Tories were ejected in 1997 he came fifth of five candidates behind John Redwood seemingly ending his chances of leading the party.

But he made a remarkable comeback when Duncan Smith was deposed and he was elected unopposed in a "coronation" that sought to avoid another messy leadership race.

Commons leadership

After Duncan Smith's tenure the Tories felt they were on a better footing with the experienced Howard performing well in parliament and providing strong leadership.

His first 100 days as leader saw him outline his "British dream" which would allow people to succeed on the basis of their own talents and he made efforts to re-brand the Conservatives widening their appeal and appearing modern, socially inclusive and caring.

But despite William Hague's disastrous right-wing election campaign that barely dented Labour's majority in 2001, Howard defiantly rooted his bid to regain government in a tough asylum, immigration and law and order platform.

The main influence on Howard's campaign has been Australian poll strategist Lynton Crosby who helped win four elections for the Tory's equivalent party down under.

Under his guidance Howard focused on populist causes and repeated his five pledges, based on focus group findings, in a bid to win round voters.

Campaign tactics

Whilst the Tories dominated the early part of the campaign highlighting examples such as Margaret Dixon and her cancelled operations Gordon Brown's emergence seized the initiative and put the focus on Labour's strong points - the economy and public services.

Howard was also unable to capitalise on Tony Blair's discomfort over the Iraq war because the Tory leader admitted he would have still invaded even with the benefit of hindsight. 

Constantly portrayed as a vampire in newspaper cartoons, Howard attempted to improve his image by involving his family particularly glamorous wife Sandra in the campaign.

He also tried to appear as youthful as possible, jumping in and out of helicopters and running between houses whilst canvassing.

While his personal rating in the opinion polls remain low, he has nonetheless led his party to a strong election performance and his decision to stand down came as a surprise to many.