COMME NT

Theresa May has cleared the decks for a New Year revamp of her government, scrapping plans to give MPS a free vote on overturning the ban on fox hunting in England.

The Prime Minister will seek to stamp her authority with a Cabinet reshuffle beginning today amid reports that up to six senior ministers could be axed or moved.

As MPS prepared to head back to Westminster following the Christmas break, she reaffirmed her intention to lead the Conservatives into the next general election.

At the same time she acknowledged that the manifesto pledge to give MPS the opportunitytoreversetheban on hunting with hounds south of the Border was one of the issues which cost them votes at last June’s disastrous snap election when her Commons majority was wiped out.

“If she promotes this health secretary tomorrow it’s a betrayal of those 75,000 people in the back of ambulances”

JON ASHWORTH