Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
..they’re behind you!
But could this sorry bunch do any better?
SUPPORTING THE PM
fight the 2022 election but few believe this is likely. This June’s election exposed her limitations as a campaigner.
There is common agreement within the Tory ranks that defeating Jeremy Corbyn will require a new leader with fresh ideas.
The Conservatives now appear to accept Mrs May will have to go but there is no collective opinion on when. Until her conference nightmare, the unwritten plan was for her to see through the Brexit negotiations and then stand down. Now there are doubts about her having the clout to handle the negotiations.
Some Tories believe the only way to save the talks is to get a new leader but Brexiteers fear this would install a Remainer PM.
Primarily, there is no consensus on who should take over. All of the candidates have flaws. Amber Rudd is a Remainer with a slender majority in her seat. Boris Johnson is loved by the party rank and file but distrusted by MPS. David Davis is not seen as sufficiently serious. Ruth Davidson does not want to leave Scotland and Jacob Reesmogg belongs in an antique shop.
Yes. The Tories have a leader whose tenure lasts until she completes Brexit but she does not have the authority to deliver it.
They don’t dare risk moving against her because they cannot agree on who will succeed her and fear it could end the DUP deal – and cause another general election.
Boris Johnson
The Brexiteer Foreign Secretary is hugely popular with Tory activists and delivered a majority for Leave.
He is divisive, does not enjoy the support of MPS and being out of the country hampers bids to build a parliamentary power base.
David Davis
Brexit Secretary hard man who was in the SAS, he has plenty of experience and gets on well with most Tory MPS.
Not entirely trusted by Cabinet colleagues, has overseen stalled Brexit talks and stands accused of pushing for top job.
Jacob Rees-mogg
Comfortable in his own skin, his self-deprecating sense of humour has won an army of Conservative fans.
He’s an anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, Eton-educated, City fat cat multimillionaire who has never changed or nappy or washed the dishes.
Philip Hammond
Safe pair of hands as Chancellor and has broad experience of Government jobs, including Foreign and Defence.
Remainer who is seen as pushing for soft Brexit, alienating pro-leave members.
Amber Rudd
Amiable, confident and forthright, she has performed well as Home Secretary during this year’s wave of terror attacks.
She has a tiny majority in Hastings and Rye and nearly lost her seat at June’s general election.
Andrea Leadsom
Commons Leader is popular with grassroots and made it to final two in last year’s contest.
Economically very right-wing and still hampered by comments which seemed to criticise Theresa May for not having kids.
Tom Tugendhat
Young, ex-army officer who commands respect and has just been elected chairman of the powerful Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.
Has no ministerial experience and only became an MP in 2015. Can be seen as overly-confident by some colleagues.
David Gauke FOR:
Quiet operator, the Work and
Pensions Secretary is well-liked among MPS and could be a John Major figure.
He could be too much of a dark horse and the public has no idea who he is.
AGAINST: