May: I got us into this mess, I’ll get us out

May apology over election as she buys more time from her MPs

THERESA May last night apologised to Conservatives MPs for the election result, telling them: ‘I got us into this mess and I will get us out of it.’

The Prime Minister, who has faced fierce criticism over a strategy that saw the Tories lose their Commons majority, said she took sole responsibility for the election and was sorry for those who lost their seats.

She acknowledged MPs would be within their rights to fire her if she now fails to deliver, saying: ‘I will serve you as long as you want me.’

But her frank performance won praise from scores of MPs – and appeared to have killed off any imminent leadership challenge.

Senior Tories yesterday indicated they would axe the social care plans blamed for the party’s election failure. Mrs May said she would revisit a planned shake-up of school funding which has angered many parents.

But her weakened position was exploited by Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson who demanded that Brexit be watered down.

Mrs May will hold talks with DUP leader Arlene Foster today in a bid to seal a deal which would see the loyalist party support her programme.

A CHASTENED Theresa May apologised to Conservative MPs last night for getting the party into an election ‘mess’ and pledged: ‘I will get us out of it.’

Addressing a packed meeting of Tory backbenchers, the Prime Minister took sole responsibility for the disastrous election campaign that saw her blow a 23-point lead over Labour.

Mrs May, who wore a grim expression as she arrived for the showdown in the Commons, told MPs: ‘I got us into this mess and I will get us out of it.’

The Prime Minister is said to have considered resigning in the immediate aftermath of last week’s shock result.

She has also faced calls to quit, with some Tory MPs saying her position is untenable. Last night, Mrs May appeared to accept that her fate now lies in the hands of her MPs.

She told them: ‘I’ve been stuffing envelopes for this party since I was 12 years old. I will serve you as long as you want me.’

MPs streaming out from the meeting said the Prime Minister’s performance had bought her more time in Downing Street.

‘She was humble, but clear,’ one said. Another added: ‘She said what needed to be said about the campaign and her role – she just sort of blurted it all out at the start. But after that she relaxed – there was none of the robotic stuff. It’s a pity the public didn’t see more of this side of her during the campaign.’

Another MP said Mrs May was safe for now because no one wanted another election.

‘I never want to hear the words “Corbyn is Prime Minister” and I know all of my colleagues feel the same – there is no interest in causing another election,’ the MP said. Top table: Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson (circled) was invited to attend the Cabinet meeting yesterday. Also pictured are, from left, Environment Secretary Michael Gove, Business Secretary Greg Clark, Education Secretary Justine Greening, Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Scotland Secretary David Mundell, and Aid Secretary Priti Patel But another warned: ‘She has my support for now, but I cannot tell you how I will feel about it in six months’ time.’

Mrs May faced fierce criticism on Friday when her speech outside No 10 made no mention of the party’s defeat or the MPs who lost their seats.

MPs at last night’s meeting said she apologised repeatedly during the 75-minute encounter. One said: ‘She did say sorry.

‘She apologised for colleagues losing their seats, she said she took responsibility for the campaign and she took the decision to call an early election.’

The Prime Minister was tackled directly by MPs over campaign failures, with several raising the issue of the botched social care proposals that overshadowed the Conservative manifesto. She also faced questions about school funding cuts, with several MPs saying the issue had been raised by voters repeatedly.

MPs were told that Education Secretary Justine Greening has been given a remit to ‘look again’ at the funding reforms.

Several Eurosceptic MPs also urged Mrs May not to change tack on Brexit, saying the election provided no mandate for doing so. One prominent Eurosceptic later said he was satisfied with Mrs May’s responses, adding: ‘She is very clear we are leaving the single market. That is what people voted for and that is what she is going to deliver. All the debate at the moment is about tone, not substance.’

Mrs May is expected to devote much more time to dealing with the concerns of backbench MPs in the wake of last week’s election result.

The Prime Minister has appointed her old university friend Damian Green as her deputy, with a specific remit to liaise with MPs.

She has also been forced to accept the departure of her joint chiefs- of- staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, who were accused of shutting out MPs.

Backbenchers also asked for, and received, assurances that the proposed pact with the DUP would not lead to a watering down of gay rights in the rest of the UK.

‘Stuffing envelopes for the party since I was 12’