Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
May prepares for party showdown
THERESA May is facing a showdown with Conservative MPs amid anger over the way the party saw its majority blitzed in the general election.
The prime minister sought to stave off another Tory civil war ahead of her appearance before the backbench 1922 Committee by bringing former justice secretary Michael Gove in from the cold less than a year after she sacked him.
His appointment as environment secretary came after former chancellor George Osborne branded her a “dead woman walking”, warning that she could be ousted from No 10 in a matter of days.
However, other senior Tories — including Graham Brady, the influential chairman of the 1922 Committee — predicted MPs would rally round, insisting there was no mood in the party for a damaging leadership contest which could see them plunged into a fresh general election.
Foreign secretary Boris Johnson brushed off claims he was plotting a fresh leadership bid, insisting that he fully supported the prime minister.
He said: “To those that say the PM should step down, or that we need another election or even — God help us — a second referendum, I say come off it. Get a grip, everyone.
“The people of Britain have had a bellyful of promises and politicking.
“Now is the time for delivery — and Theresa May is the right person to continue that vital work.” Mrs May signalled that she still intended to serve a full term.
“I said during the election campaign that if re-elected I would intend to serve a full term,” she said at No 10.
However, many Tories are adamant she cannot lead them into another election after her disastrous showing at the ballot box last week. Mr Brady indicated she would have to ditch much of her controversial election manifesto in a “slimmed down” Queen’s Speech on June 19 setting out the new Government’s programme.
It was also reported that plans to scrap the triple lock on pensions, means test the winter fuel allowance and repeal the ban on fox hunting were all set to go.
Proposals to overhaul the funding of social care — dubbed the “dementia tax” by opposition parties — and expand the number of grammar schools were also said to be being heavily watered down.
The return to the Cabinet of Mr Gove, who clashed bitterly with Mrs May over tackling extremism when they were in Government together under David Cameron, will be seen as an attempt to head off any challenge from the Brexiteer wing of the party.