Known as "Murky Pete" for his often seemingly contradictory statements on various policy ideas, he was challenged in 2001 by the party's right-wing leader, George Brandon, who sought to oust him. Jeremy Irons, a more decidedly moderate candidate, jumped into the leadership race too, referring to Stuart as "rudderless" and blaming the 1999 general election defeat on him. Stuart lost in the first round of elections on October 4, 2001, resigning as Party Leader. The next day, Irons won the runoff. During the 2008-2011 Conservative control of government, Stuart was tabbed to serve as the Minister of Health by Prime Minister Jeremy Irons, and was retained by Hugh Grant after his 2009 Cabinet shakeup, and currently holds that same position in the Shadow Cabinet.