May set to face a new threat
Tory Brexiteers pile pressure on PM to go by end of June
THERESA May is facing pressure from rebellious Tory Brexiteers to stand down by the end of June following 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 her.
The Prime Minister 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.
They are said to be unable to agree on whether to change party rules that stop May facing another no-confidence vote till December.
Brexiteer executives want the rules amended to try to get rid of 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 that we need somebody new at No10 to take us to the next stage.”
Ahead of the meeting, backbench chief Sir Graham Brady met May to tell her that BY PIPPA CRERAR reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk many MPs want her to set a departure date.
They are furious at the PM for delaying Brexit to October 31 and entering talks with Labour that could lead to a “softer” deal.
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 stand down.
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 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 the 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.”
Cross-party Brexit talks with Labour resumed yesterday but neither side appeared hopeful they would be conclusive.
Government insiders believe they could break down later this week.
Each side blamed the other for the continued deadlock, with the PM suggesting to her Cabinet that Labour was dragging its feet.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the PM of “regurgitating” failed plans that had been rejected three times by Parliament.
After May’s first two attempts to get her Brexit deal through Parliament failed spectacularly, she promised to stand down if it was passed at a third attempt.
Some Tories caved in but not nearly enough to get the agreement passed.