Macmillan's government: 1957–1960 Eden resigned in January 1957. In 1955 he had been the obvious successor to Churchill, but this time there was no clear heir apparent. Leaders of the Conservative party were not elected by ballot of MPs or party members, but emerged after informal soundings within the party, known as "the customary processes of consultation".Roth, p. 173 The chief whip, Edward Heath, canvassed the views of backbench Conservative MPs, and two senior Conservative peers, the Lord President of the Council, Lord Salisbury, and the Lord Chancellor, Lord Kilmuir, saw members of the cabinet individually to ascertain their preferences. Only one cabinet colleague supported Butler; the rest, including Home, opted for Macmillan. Churchill, whom the Queen consulted, did the same.Thorpe (1997), p. 189 Macmillan was appointed prime minister on 10 January 1957.
mAcmilLan's GoveRnmEnt 1957–1960 edEN reSigNed iN january 1957 in 1955 he had been The ObViouS succeSsOr To cHurchill buT thIS timE THEre waS No clear HeiR aPpArent LEadERs Of thE conservative paRty Were not eLECteD by balLoT of mPS or PartY membeRS BUt emerGeD after infORmAl SOundinGS WiThIn THE parTy knOwn AS "tHE customary PrOceSSeS Of coNSuLtatiON"roth p 173 The Chief WhIP edWArd hEaTH CanVaSsed The vIeWs Of Backbench ConsErvAtiVe mps aNd tWo seNior ConservatIvE PeeRs THE LoRd president Of tHE councIL lOrd saliSBury AnD the lOrD chaNceLlOr lord kilmUIr saW MEmberS oF the CaBInet InDividuAlLy tO asCertAIN their prEFEreNceS onLy one cABinet collEague SuPPortED butlER; The rEst iNcluding homE opTeD FoR mAcmillan cHurchill WHom ThE queeN COnSUltEd dId the SAMethorPe (1997) p 189 mACmIlLAN Was aPpOiNTEd pRIme mINisTer on 10 jAnUary 1957