IT IS HIGH TIME FOR THERESA MAY TO SHOW HER DISLOYAL CABINET WHO IS IN CHARGE

NOW and again every structure needs a damn good clear-out. At the moment the entire Government machine, starting with the Cabinet, needs that clear-out.

Theresa May can never succeed in the task that destiny has set her – bringing the UK out of its servitude to the EU – with five Cabinet ministers who are dedicated pro-Brussels Remainers, and you could add “at least” to the figure of five. One of course is the ghastly Philip Hammond who never stops conspiring and the same applies to his ministry, the Treasury. He is also making a dog’s breakfast of our economy.

Add Anna Soubry, Nicky Morgan, Ed Vaizey and Grant Shapps. All are out of the Cabinet but ceaselessly conniving. There is a way of popping them back in their boxes but it will need cunning and guile to hide the Toledo steel. Wave a few knighthoods. The simple question to a disloyal second-rater from the local chairman – “Would you prefer to be loyal to our premier or be deselected?” concentrates the mind wonderfully. The simple fact is that she has to hold fast until the fortunes turn, and they will. They always do. First the nation is in a mood so glum the voters could pick Coco the clown in an act of madness. Second, there is no very clear dauphin to take over with an entire party behind him.

Our walking disasters in the Marxist-Leninist resurgence and the other crew in Brussels would love Tory chaos to spread to the point where Her Majesty had no choice but to summon the stubbled Leninist to the palace. It would turn out an unmitigated disaster to have Corbyn in Number 10 but collective madness has no sane counsellor.

When we executed Admiral John Byng in 1857 for timidity Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who was watching, asked why. “To encourage the others” was the reply. The sudden departure of a few nakedly disloyals now would have the same effect. A gamble? Sure, but the Tory ship has got to be steadied under one command and without delay.