If May persists with Chequers plan
without a vote”. Meanwhile, a seasoned Conservative activist is calling for a change to the party’s leadership contest rules to ensure ordinary party members get a chance to vote Boris Johnson into the top job.
John Strafford wants the party’s board to ensure that any MP who gets the support of 20 colleagues in Parliament gets into the final stage of the contest, the ballot of party members.
Currently MPs vote on hopefuls, if necessary through several rounds, with the least popular eliminated each time.
Once there are two nominees left, they present themselves to activists in the country for the deciding vote.
The process becomes highly competitive as MPs manoeuvre to get their favourites through and sink their enemies’ hopes.
Mr Johnson is thought to be considering whether and when to launch a leadership bid. Some fear the current rules could result in the exclusion of an MP who is popular with activists, as he is, from the final ballot.
Mr Strafford, who campaigns for increased democracy in the party, said: “I am not in favour of Boris as leader but it would be catastrophic if MPs tried to stop him from standing and he wanted to.”
He warned MPs against trying to “stitch up” the next leadership contest.
In 2016 Mrs May became leader with no vote for activists because her nearest rival Andrea Leadsom quit the race.
Mr Johnson had already withdrawn after ally Michael Gove launched a surprise bid of his own.
David Cameron became leader in 2005 after activists preferred him to David Davis. In 2003, Michael, now Lord, Howard became leader with no contest, as the party sought stability after ousting Iain Duncan Smith.