Tory minnows and the Marxist threat

IF this paper had to create a photofit of the sort of character who should be kept away from public life at all costs, the image would look very like Grant Shapps. Bumptious, shallow, inordinately ambitious and pleased with himself, the former Tory co- chairman ( whatever possessed David Cameron to appoint him?) is remembered chiefly for parading under a fake name on the internet during his pre-parliamentary business career.

Yet this is the embittered, self-satisfied minnow who now poses as the leader of a Conservative rebellion to oust Theresa May.

He even claims he has the support of some 30 MPs – just 18 short of the number needed to trigger a leadership contest – though why the public should believe the word of a man who falsified his own name is anyone’s guess.

Indeed, only a handful have so far been identified as members of his ‘coalition of the disappointed’. Of these, most are third-rate, die-hard Remoaners – such as Anna Soubry and Nicky Morgan – justly sacked by Mrs May.

Let the Mail be clear. Nobody can pretend this week’s party conference was anything but a flop. By this, we don’t mean the series of misfortunes that befell the Prime Minister during her speech. Indeed, if anything, she emerged with her reputation enhanced, after bravely battling on through everything fate could throw at her.

No, the ineluctable truth is that the conference offered little coherent vision or sense of the direction in which the Conservatives want to take Britain.

Such few policies as were announced seemed half-hearted and hedged with ifs and buts. And apart from a rousing, optimistic performance by Boris Johnson, the tone was decidedly downbeat.

So Mrs May should certainly liven up her unimpressive front bench team. Indeed, she would do well to consider jobs for the indefatigable Iain Duncan Smith and Jacob Rees-Mogg – the darling of the conference, whose fogeyish persona masks a grasp of economics that puts Chancellor Philip Hammond in the shade.

One thing’s for certain. After this dismal, unimaginative conference, she needs a new party chairman as a matter of urgency.

But let’s be realistic. If there were to be a leadership election now, not only would this set back the Brexit talks by precious weeks or months. This paper believes it would tear the party apart, raising the unthinkable possibility of condemning Britain to a Marxist government under Jeremy Corbyn and his Momentum thugs.

No, for Britain’s sake, Mrs May has a clear duty to plough on. And any Tory MP who cares about our country will support her.