Knives are out as Tories gather for conference

It is widely seen as a ploy to destabilise the leader and test her authority

Politicians and activists arriving for the Conservative conference in Manchester at the weekend were met with a sickening banner calling for them to be executed.

Underneath it, hanged Tory effigies were spinning eerily off the Salford bridge. The sight was chilling.

No matter how abhorrent a party’s approach is judged – and there have been some nose-pinching policies pushed by the Tories of late such as the so-called rape clause – death threats and incitement to violence can never be tolerated.

In any event, those wishing the demise of the Tories in power will not need to resort to capital punishment, if the kamikaze attacks within its warring cabinet continue.

Boris Johnson is making little attempt to conceal his leadership ambitions. He came back into the cabinet fold for a few hours after his 4,000-word pitch for Boris’s Brexit.

Then he again exceeded his Foreign Secretary brief by announcing the UK’S red lines for the negotiation with Brussels. It is widely seen as a ploy to destabilise the leader and test her authority.

So far she has refused to rebuke her minister, presumably because she knows her position is too weak to start clunking fists.

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson’s star is rising, albeit from a low level. He has returned to the party members’ choice to be the next Conservative leader.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of the grassroots would have him as the successor to Mrs May, according to a Yougov poll. In second place with 19% of the vote is Ruth Davidson.

Once again she finds herself repeatedly asked about her appetite for the role. She knocks back the suggestion, without ever categorically ruling it out.

Despite her growing influence in the UK party, Ms Davidson’s plea for unity behind Mrs May – who she affectionately refers to as Big T – during her conference speech yesterday will go unheeded.

With the PM in post but not in power – and lacking the authority to keep her cabinet in check – the Manchester gathering is quickly becoming a beauty parade for the next leader.

They may not be as vocal as Mr Johnson, but the likes of Brexit Secretary David Davis, Chancellor Philip Hammond and international development secretary Priti Patel would like to be touted as contenders.

However, a new leader, by modern demands, means a fresh election. There is little public appetite for that. Moreover, the Tories would likely lose one if called today.

May is clinging on, but she will survive in short to medium in the absence of a credible plan B – and any crises.

What is clear is her defenestration is assured and anything she comes up with in this conference will be window dressing for her premature descent.

Picture: PA. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is making little attempt to conceal his leadership ambitions.