PM claims she has full Cabinet support, despite Shapps ‘putsch’
THERESA MAY will give a speech designed to halt the rebellion against her early next week after playing down calls for her to quit, claiming she will continue to provide “calm leadership” of her party.
Speaking for the first time since her mishap-strewn conference speech in Manchester, the Prime Minister yesterday said she had the full backing of her Cabinet.
She is also expected to take on her critics in a media blitz next week, thought to include a radio phone-in – an unusual decision for the typically reserved Mrs May.
Also in Mrs May’s diary will be the launch of her energy price-cap policy and a review of racial disparity in the UK, as she attempts to get on the front foot by focusing on the domestic agenda.
However, she will be forced to tackle the challenge of Brexit talks beginning again as well as questions over how her Budget pledges will be financed, amid claims the Treasury has less money in the coffers than expected.
It comes after Grant Shapps, the former Conservative Party chairman, was identified as the ringleader of 30 rebel MPS who are attempting to force Mrs May from office.
Facing the cameras in her constituency of Maidenhead, Berks, Mrs May said: “Now what the country needs is calm leadership, and that’s what I am providing with the full support of my Cabinet.
“Next week I am going to be updating MPS on my Florence speech, which has given real momentum to the Brexit talks, and I will also be introducing a draft bill to cap energy prices, which will stop ordinary working families from being ripped off.”
Earlier, MPS claimed a back-bench plot to oust her from No10 was set to “fizzle out”.
Charles Walker, the vice chairman of the Tories’ 1922 Committee, said the attempt to force a leadership contest
lacked credibility and was doomed to fail.
Mr Shapps, who has claimed to have the backing of at least one Cabinet minister, said the demands for an election were growing.
But arriving for a charity coffee morning, the Prime Minister was determined to present an image of business as normal, despite a bad cold.
The show of strength came ahead of a tough week for Mrs May, as on Monday Brexit talks will resume amid claims that Brussels is inching closer to Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader.
There are also fears that her own MPS could rebel and step up their public campaigns against her Brexit stance, proving a fresh flashpoint for talk of a leadership challenge.
The Prime Minister will also hold another meeting of her business advisory committee on Monday, where she will discuss Brexit with business leaders.
In a packed schedule, Mrs May will then face down her Cabinet on Tuesday and on Wednesday the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPS will
meet in Westminster. Sources expect her leadership will be discussed, although there are currently not enough rebels to meet the threshold (48) for a leadership election to be triggered.
The Prime Minister will also go head-to-head with Mr Corbyn on the same day, in what experts predict will be a furious battle as Labour prepares to take full advantage of Mrs May’s weakened position.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister will seek to reset the agenda once again by publishing her draft energy bill.
Mrs May has been forced to put back a long-planned trade mission to China because Donald Trump, the US president, has decided to visit at the same time, it was claimed last night.
Sky News reported that Mrs May had been hoping to fly to China next month, only to be told by Beijing that Mr Trump would be in the region between Nov 3 and 14.
Downing Street said it was incorrect to say the trip had been postponed because no date had ever been agreed.