SIR Michael Spicer, the MP for West Worcestershire who has been re-elected unopposed to the chairmanship of the Conservative Parliamentary Party, has pledged that his key role will not come before his constituents.

Known as the 1922 Committee, in Opposition it represents all Conservative MPs.

Under the Constitution of the Party, Sir Michael will have the special responsibility of overseeing the process for electing a new Leader of the Conservative Party. As Chairman of the 1922 Committee, he will also be taking a leading part in the decisions about new rules for the election of the leader.

Sir Michael said: "It is a great honour to have been once again re-elected in the new parliament, unopposed by my colleagues to the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Party.

"With its very impressive new and enlarged intake, the morale of the Conservative Parliamentary Party is very high. The months ahead will be very busy ones for me and my office. We will be assisted by the fact that we have had the experience of managing two previous leadership elections."

Sir Michael said because of his chairmanship he was banned from giving his views on who or what type of person the new leader should be.

However, he said: "I will be very busy obviously in my London office, but my first priority as always will be to my constituents."

Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff was voted onto the 1922 committee for the first time last week.

He also will be actively involved in the leadership race. He said: "I haven't made up my mind yet who I want for our next leader. The three front runners are David Davis, David Cameron and Malcolm Rifkind, and they are all good candidates. I have no burning desire to be in the cabinet myself, although I would do if asked. I do have ambitions for my country and constituency though." He predicts that the next General Election will take place on June 19, 2009.