Grassroots Tories: We want to quit

THE vast majority of Conservative activists are set to defy David Cameron and support Brexit, a survey suggests.

Interviews with constituency chairmen, officials and councillors from across the country show the scale of the challenge facing the Prime Minister in keeping the Tories from imploding over the issue.

Of 68 constituency parties contacted by The Guardian, only two said a majority of members were in favour of remaining in the European Union. Some 1 reported a majority in favour of leaving. The others either said there was a 50-50 split in the ranks, or refused to respond.

Local councillors lined up to say they were ‘hacked off’ with Mr Cameron, with one saying that ‘all eyes’ were on London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has come out for Leave. Lisa Parker, a councillor from Rugby, said she was disgusted by how the party was dealing with the issue.

‘We’ve had to consult 2 countries just to talk about reform,’ she said. ‘We’ve sold this country out and we’re being ruled by the European Union – by people who hate us, who loathe us.

‘I’ll be voting out, and campaigning every weekend. For the first time in my life I’m questioning if this is the party for me.’ David Sanders, a councillor in Peterborough, said of Mr Cameron: ‘He didn’t nail the deal. It wasn’t a bad effort but he didn’t do nearly enough to change my mind. I’ll be campaigning to leave.

‘Mrs Thatcher would have nailed it. He hasn’t been strong enough with EU colleagues. His best just hasn’t been good enough.’

Councillor David Tee, from Warley, said his constituency party was divided, with some members ‘waiting to see what senior members of the Conservative Party choose to do – eyes are on figures like Boris Johnson’.

Liz Harsant, chairman of the Ipswich constituency party, said: ‘They are all for out at the moment. Our MP, health minister Ben Gummer, is in favour of staying but frankly we all want to leave.’

Ken Worthy, chairman of the Claygate and Hinchley Wood branch of Esher and Walton Conservatives in Surrey, said: ‘The constituency officers are in favour of staying but, from what I have heard, most of the members want to leave, probably about three-quarters, though this can only be a guess.’

Cambridge constituency party chairman Simon Lee said: ‘We discuss the issue a lot and there are strong feelings on both sides but it hasn’t got too violent yet.

‘We have our meetings, discuss the EU and then go to the pub and shake hands.’