NEWLY re-elected Conservative MP Sir Michael Spicer faces some of the most important weeks in his Parliamentary career, with a key role to play in shaping the party's future.

Sir Michael will stand as one of three candidates for the chairmanship of the 1922 Committee on June 27 and, if successful, will be the voice of the Parliamentary Conservative Party.

The parliamentary party's first job will be to select two candidates to succeed William Hague as leader, with the 1922 Committee chairman acting as returning officer.

Both candidates selected by Conservative MPs will go to a vote of rank and file Conservative members for final decision.

Sir Michael said the party would need to look at the General Election and why its message on key policies, such as public services, did not filter through.

But he paid tribute to Mr Hague's work, particularly on positioning the party on Europe.

"I think the European position is settled," he said. "That is to say the vast majority of the party wants us to oppose the Single Currency if there was a referendum and also, I think, to oppose any dramatic further moves towards a federal state of Europe."

He said he did not believe it impossible for the Conservatives to win the next election, particularly if the economy falters or the Government loses a referendum on the European Single Currency.

The new Leominster MP Bill Wiggin said he would be talking to the constituency party before casting his vote for leader.