The Conservative Party membership will not be given a formal say over the appointment of Michael Howard as leader.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party board said members did not believe a confirmation ballot was necessary.

Speculation has grown over the last week about whether a postal ballot would be held to confirm Howard's support among the rank-and-file members.

While the new leader wanted the vote to be held, senior party members had advised against the move on the grounds of cost.

With Howard the only candidate to come forward, the Tory governing board decided against holding a poll.

"The board of the Conservative Party welcomes the election of Michael Howard as leader of the Conservative Party. Michael Howard has our full support and we send him our best wishes as he takes the party forward," said a statement released on Thursday.

"The board has received overwhelming representations from the party at large, and, in line with these representations, has decided not to initiate a formal postal ratification ballot."

Party members will instead be given the opportunity to express their views during an "informal consultation" over the weekend.

However, activists are said to be dismayed by the dismissal of Iain Duncan Smith, the first Tory leader to be elected by the rank-and-file.

Many believe MPs united behind Howard to prevent a lengthy ballot, which could have proved divisive.

They say the party in the country chose the wrong candidate last time around and could not have been trusted to select the right man for the job this time around.