Howard: No quick exit

Michael Howard is planning to stay on as Tory leader for up to two years even if his party experiences a crushing defeat on Thursday.

The opposition leader, who has failed to mount a poll breakthrough, is understood to have told close associates that he will remain in post for one to two years.

Howard has said he is keen to avoid forcing his party into an immediate and potentially bloody leadership election.

John Major plunged his party into crisis when he stood down immediately after the 1997 election massacre.

William Hague followed suit when he quit the leadership after failing to prevent a second Labour landslide in 2001.

Those close to Howard hope he will remain in post in order to give his party time to contemplate the leadership issue.

But they fear that some in the party may plot against him should be fail to reduce Labour's majority below 100.

Those tipped as possible successors include shadow home secretary David Davis, who faces a tough fight against the Liberal Democrats in his marginal Haltemprice and Howden constituency.

Other possible successors include Sir Malcolm Rifkind, who is returning to Westminster after a two parliament absence.

Young turks such as George Osbourne and David Cameron are also tipped as future leaders.

Some also believe that Hague could be persuaded to return to the frontline should Howard significantly reduce Labour's majority.