Iain Duncan Smith is today preparing to return to the backbenches as his two years as Conservative leader come to an end.

He remains at the helm as caretaker leader until the party chooses a successor.

But there is now a strong possibility that Michael Howard will become leader when nominations close on November 6.

A quick succession will enable Duncan Smith to retreat from the frontline of British politics.

He follows William Hague into the exclusive club of party leaders who never became prime minister.

And some now wonder how he ever managed to get there in the first place.

Whilst he is unlikely to join the next Shadow Cabinet, Duncan Smith has hinted will be vocal in supporting the policies developed under his leadership.

His resignation statement contained a pledge to "defend the policies that my Shadow Cabinet have developed".

"Although I will not be the prime minister of the first Conservative government of the 21st century, I believe I have provided its policy agenda," he added.

"A policy agenda designed to improve the quality of life for everyone in this country - to give people better schools, better healthcare, safer streets, security in retirement and value for taxpayers' money."

Despite being ousted, Duncan Smith maintains he should have pride at his role in developing a new raft of policies.

Under his leadership the Tories set in train policies to extend choice in health and education, pledged to scrap university tuition fees and introduce greater local control of the police.

But while his contribution to the Conservative Party's next manifesto may turn out to be significant, many ask themselves whether he was ever likely to provide the kind of leadership demanded in the modern media age.

The current Tory leadership electoral system leaves the final choice in the hands of the grassroots members - people often seen as aging and out of touch with the mood of the country.

A candidate who appeals to them will not necessarily find the same level of support among the public or the media.

Duncan Smith had been a surprise victor in the 2001 Conservative leadership contest.

His anti-Europe views, army career, war hero father and a wife from the landed gentry made him the ideal candidate for the party's grassroots.

Despite his victory, the Chingford MP was rocked by a series of crises which dealt him the fatal blows which eventually ended his career.

Whilst he managed to defeat Kenneth Clarke in the national poll, he mustered the support of just one in three of his MPs.

From the day of his leadership victory, questions were raised about Duncan Smith's ability to lead a party he did so much to undermine during the rebellions over the Maastricht Treaty.

His first tactical mistake came in the summer of 2002 when he demoted party chairman and leadership rival David Davis, who was on holiday at the time.

Imposing a three line whip over an obscure piece of gay rights legislation brought a small but high profile rebellion.

Many were forced to question whether the man in the top job had the judgement necessary to lead a united party to election victory.

That gay adoption clash led Duncan Smith to hold a press conference where famously called on colleagues to "unite or die".

The rows over his management of Conservative Central Office also continued to come, with reports suggesting his private office was in a state of perpetual chaos.

Privately many suggested IDS lacked the people skills to successfully manage a team.

And prompting further question marks over his judgement, parliamentary standards commissioner Philip Mawer is now examining allegations surrounding the employment of his wife, Betsy, as diary secretary.

Duncan Smith's supporters point to some notable successes during his time at the helm.

The summer policy overhaul won plaudits from activists, MPs and the media.

Efforts to modernise candidate selection resulted in more women candidates and a greater number of PPCs from ethnic minorities.

And he eased the party's stance on homosexuality sufficiently that Alan Duncan felt he was able to come out as the first openly gay member of the Conservative frontbench.

The subsequent selection of both Asian and gay candidates was welcomed as a sign that the party had changed under his stewardship.

And the Conservatives also clamped down on links with the right-wing Monday Club following a row over its views on race and immigration issues.

The former soldier - who served in Zimbabwe and spent time in Northern Ireland - fought to the bitter end.

After the battering he has taken, the chance to spend some more time with his family might come as something of a relief for the "quiet man".