May still in office, but not in power
BRITAIN: Prime Minister Theresa May was left isolated and undermined as the resignation of her two chiefs of staff failed to stop the furious Tory backlash.
She has been told by Cabinet ministers she must overhaul her leadership style and change her economic policy if she wants to remain in power meantime.
Protecting business during Brexit talks and handing over more money to the Foreign Office have been named as the price for Cabinet support.
May has secured short-term backing from senior Tories because of fears that another election could let Jeremy Corbyn into No 10 Downing Street.
But an unofficial race to replace her was already under way as allies of Boris Johnson and David Davis talked up their credentials and briefed against the other.
Figures at the very top of the party now believe May cannot remain leader for long, with some calling for a replacement by the time of the party’s conference in October.
‘‘This was utterly self-inflicted and completely unavoidable. Her credibility is completely shot at home and abroad,’’ said a minister.
After the most damaging 48 hours in May’s career, developments included:
The resignation of Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, May’s co-chiefs of staff, after ultimatums from senior Conservatives;
A controversial ‘‘confidence and supply’’ deal with the DUP being struck after Gavin Williamson, the chief whip, flew to Belfast for talks;
DUP sources saying they would demand May abandon parts of her social care plan as their price for support;
A promise from peers and pro-eu Tories to exploit May’s weakness to waterdown Brexit plans outlined in the party’s manifesto;
Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, appearing to question whether her 13 MPS would vote for taking Britain out of the single market. May is still reeling from the unexpected loss of seats at an election that she called to ‘‘strengthen her hand’’ for Brexit talks.
Despite starting the campaign with a 20-point poll lead, the Tories ended up beating Labour by just two points.
After securing 318 seats – the largest of any party but 13 less than when she called the vote – May has been forced to strike a deal with the DUP.
There were also growing concerns among some Conservatives that the party’s image could be tarnished by entering a pact with the DUP given that party’s criticism of gay marriage.
May yesterday attempted to bring stability to No 10 announcing Gavin Barwell, the former housing minister who lost his seat at the election, as her new chief of staff.
She is also considering appointing a deputy prime minister or a new party chairman in an attempt to reach out to seething Tory colleagues.
Timothy and Hill announced their resignation after pressure from senior Tories. Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, is understood to have expressed his frustration with the pair’s attitude to government in a phone call to May on Saturday.
Timothy, who co-wrote the Tory manifesto, issued a statement expressing his ‘‘sorrow’’ at MPS who had lost their seats at the election.
However, the resignations have not stopped speculation. Cabinet ministers have privately said they believe May cannot remain leader for long.
Numerous ministers said May would not ‘‘lead the party into the next election’’.
Allies of likely leadership contenders were also briefing journalists.
One ally of Johnson’s said: ‘‘Tons of people have reached out to him since the election ... They are saying he is the only one who can lead now. David Davis is too old school and pushed for the early election.’’
A source close to Davis said they believed he would stand for the leadership if it became vacant and questioned Johnson’s suitability for the job.
However, spokesmen for both men denied any suggestion they were on manoeuvres and suggested they were ‘‘completely’’ behind May.
There was also speculation that some Conservative MPS could consider signing letters formally demanding that May goes.
It was confirmed on Saturday that a deal had been struck with the DUP – which has 10 MPS.
A No 10 spokesman said: ‘‘We can confirm that the Democratic Unionist Party have agreed to the principles of an outline agreement to support the Conservative Government on a Confidence and Supply basis when Parliament returns next week.
– Telegraph Group