Fresh move to force May into exit date

THERESA May could be forced out within weeks if she fails to name her departure date at a crunch meeting with Tory MPs after a ‘seismic’ shift in opinion among backbenchers.

Tory MPs believe the balance of power has tipped in favour of changing the party’s current rules to allow a fresh attempt to oust the PM.

Members of the 18-strong executive of the backbench 1 22 committee have cited growing frustration over lack of progress in Brexit talks with Labour and a looming ‘bloodbath’ in the European elections on May 23 following shock polls.

At a meeting of the committee on Thursday, the PM will be asked to set out plans to leave Downing Street.

MPs have discussed holding a vote afterwards on whether to change the rules so a second no confidence ballot can be held. A source said: ‘You need the executive to change its mind and then you need the party to change its mind. I think there’s been a seismic change in both.’

It comes as Tory leadership hopefuls continued setting out their stalls for the top job. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Liz Truss said as a woman in politics ‘you have to be prepared to put yourself forward’. While archEurosceptic MP Steve Baker said he would stand if other Brexiteers vote for Mrs May’s deal to leave the EU.

And in The Sunday Telegraph, Tory MPs Ben Bradley and Gary Streeter openly backed Esther McVey.

The Government and Labour are due to continue with Brexit talks today but even Cabinet loyalists believe that Mrs May has next to no chance of getting a Brexit deal approved by Parliament.