MAY FACES A NEW THREAT
Tory Brexiteers want her gone as PM by June
THERESA May is facing pressure from rebellious Tory Brexiteers to stand down by the end of June, after a crunch meeting last night.
But powerful Tory backbenchers are understood to be split down the middle over changing the rules to make it easier to oust the PM.
The PM is facing pressure to quit by the end of June, after the executive of the influential 1922 Committee of Tory backbench MPs met last night.
But they are said to be unable to agree on whether to change party rules that stop Mrs May facing another no-confidence vote till December. Brexiteer executives want the rules amended to try to oust the PM, but Remainers want her to stay.
Senior Tory Nigel Evans said: “It is with great reluctance that I’ve now come to the conclusion myself that we need somebody new at No10 to take us to the next stage”. Ahead of the meeting, backbench chief
Sir Graham Brady met
Mrs May to tell her many MPs want her to set a departure date.
Sources said the committee is considering balloting all
313 Tory MPs on the rule change. Brexiteers believe that, if passed, the
PM would see the writing on the wall and step down.
Mrs May A full meeting of the 1922 committee takes place today, and members are expected to support the rule change. Grassroots Tories are also plotting to force Mrs May out. The PM could be further rocked, as the Tories are expected to perform badly in local and EU elections next month. The PM is considering giving MPs a vote on key Brexit legislation as early as next week. But No10 suggested it would only happen if there was a chance of Labour giving it “secure passage” through Commons.
One source said: “If we know they are going to shut it down immediately then we’d think twice – but then also we’re running out of time.”
TORY divisions and Theresa May’s blind stubbornness are the hallmarks of a party descending into civil war which has lost the ability to govern.
Britain is entitled to a clear direction, something the Conservatives are incapable of offering as they scrap like rats in a sack.
The destiny of our country shouldn’t be left to mediocre and obscure right-wing MPs deciding who they personally prefer to be in No10.
We need a General Election now, not another Tory leadership contest. Let’s end this charade and take back control. Immediately.