Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE
Tory traitors plot to oust May as she jets off on hols
THERESA May jets off on holiday today amid claims traitors in her party are plotting to oust her.
At least 15 Tory MPS were said to be ready to sign a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister, who will spend three weeks in Italy.
While 48 names are needed to trigger a leadership contest, news that opponents are already a third of the way there is a fresh blow to her battered authority.
A former minister said: “The numbers change from day to day but there are about 15 who are fairly consistent in their desire for change.”
Ex-chancellor Ken Clarke, who once labelled Mrs May “a bloody difficult woman”, said: “For people who do not like Theresa May, which is not me, they’re doomed to be led by [her] for the next two or three years.”
A poll of Tory members found Brexit Secretary David Davis is the preferred replacement, on 21%, while 17% back Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Only 22% of
1,000 activists quizzed by the Economic and Social Research Council wanted the PM to quit and 71% wished her to stay.
But Ed Costelloe, of Grassroots Conservatives, said: “After the election, can she recover? It would need something huge and I can’t see it. She is effectively crippled. She should consider going before Christmas if it is in the interests of the party and the country.”
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said he would like Mrs May to stay PM until the next election, due in 2022. Jeremy Corbyn said he was ready for another poll, insisting Labour had “changed the terms of the debate”.
Meanwhile, Labour accused the PM of “abusing” her taxpayer-funded country pile to try to dodge a leadership fight. She will host a drinks party for MPS at Chequers next month.
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Jon Trickett said: “It may technically be within rules but it shouldn’t be happening” Downing Street sources said taxpayers would not get the bill.