AN overjoyed Nigel Evans was today tipped for the loyalty bonus of a Shadow Cabinet job for his commitment to William Hague's successful Tory leadership bid.

The Ribble Valley MP was at Mr Hague's side throughout the campaign and described as "ready to burst with happiness" when his man's decisive victory was announced.

And there was a sensational recall for Lancashire-born Lord Parkinson, to become his party chairman.

The son of a Carnforth railwayman, former MP Cecil Parkinson masterminded Margaret Thatcher's 1983 election victory as her central office supremo.

Mr Evans is widely expected to be given the job of Shadow Welsh Secretary, possibly working under another Hague campaign strategist, Michael Ancram, who would act as supremo in a Tory battle against devolution.

Mr Evans, delighted with the size of Mr Hague's 92-70 victory over Ken Clarke, said: "I thought he would do it but I didn't expect him to do it by 22 votes. It was a decisive victory which is what the party desperately wanted. "I am delighted that William can now give the party the fresh start he wants and rebuild the party throughout the country.

"William can build a Shadow Cabinet based on inclusiveness as his campaign team was built naturally from the right, left and centre."

Mr Hague was widely expected to appoint leadership rivals Michael Howard and Peter Lilley as Foreign Affairs spokesman and Shadow Chancellor respectively.

With top jobs required for prominent supporters such as Alan Duncan and Gillian Shephard, the 36-year-old Richmond MP, the youngest Tory leader for 200 years, faces a problem balancing his Shadow Cabinet.

Three key left-wingers - ex-Premier John Major, his Deputy Michael Heseltine and Mr Clarke - are all retiring to the backbenches and today former Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind warned Mr Hague against packing his top table with right-wingers.

Ex-Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell may get the job of Shadow Home Secretary.

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