For and against – MPS’ take on the May plot

AGAINST

“You do not euthanise a career over a cough.”

NIGEL EVANS, 1922 OFFICIAL

“Number 10 must be delighted to learn that it’s Grant Shapps leading this alleged coup. Grant has many talents but one thing he doesn’t have is a following in the party.”

CHARLES WALKER, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1922 COMMITTEE

“I don’t know of a single Cabinet minister who does.”

MICHAEL GOVE DISMISSES THE CLAIM CABINET MEMBERS WANT MRS MAY TO QUIT

“I know Grant well but I believe he is completely out of touch. He has not been talking to his colleagues. He is not even in our Whatsapp group.”

VICKY FORD, TORY MP FOR CHELMSFORD

“If Grant Shapps has 30 names then Diane Abbott has been doing the counting.”

NADINE DORRIES, TORY MP FOR MID BEDFORDSHIRE

“He has no real backing in the parliamentary party. He is not exactly a Conservative power broker on this.”

NADHIM ZAHAWI, TORY MP FOR STRATFORD ON AVON

“I’ve always liked Grant Shapps but he really is doing himself, the party, and (most importantly) the country no favours at all. Just stop.”

JAMES CLEVERLY, TORY MP FOR BRAINTREE

“Calling for Theresa May’s head because she had a cough is beyond parody. She’s an excellent PM, and the best of us frankly. Backing her 100 per cent.”

ALEX CHALK, TORY MP FOR CHELTENHAM FOR

“I think there will be quite a few people who will now be pretty firmly of the view that she should resign.”

ED VAIZEY

FORMER CULTURE MINISTER

“I think she should call a leadership election.”

“I just think that a growing number of my colleagues realise the solution isn’t to bury our heads in the sand and just hope things will get better.”

“We have spoken to people from the Cabinet and ones who privately agree. I’m sure today publicly they will say otherwise.”