Let’s return to our old values, says Rees-Mogg

THERESA May must return to the Tory values of individual choice and free trade, Jacob Rees-Mogg has warned.

He fears the Conservatives will lose further ground to Jeremy Corbyn unless the Prime Minister goes back to ‘first principles’. The prominent Brexiteer is tipped by some as a future Tory leader, although he is not expected to be given a ministerial position in Mrs May’s reshuffle.

Mr Rees-Mogg also warned that the poor relationship between Mrs May and Chancellor Philip Hammond is hampering government.

And he encouraged ministers to embrace Brexit, saying that the government had been ‘too timid’. Writing in The Sun, Mr Rees-Mogg urged the PM to put clear blue water between the Tories and Labour by highlighting the fundamental ‘dividing lines’ between the two parties.

‘Tories want to help people to lead the lives they want and to remove as many obstacles as possible,’ he said.

‘The socialist aims to cajole people into leading lives that are “good” for them. Tories are more realistic about human nature and generally more pragmatic.’

Some Eurosceptics have privately urged Mrs May to sack her Chancellor in today’s reshuffle to prevent him watering down Brexit.

Mr Rees-Mogg said: ‘The Warning: Jacob Rees-Mogg whole government machine ought to be directed towards the benefits of Brexit and not the timorous efforts of managing decline, a recipe for failure popular with too many post-war British politicians.’

‘In this regard, it is essential that the PM and Chancellor improve their working relationship and advocate the same policies. No government works when these two figures are not united.’

Mr Rees-Mogg said Brexit could bring huge benefits, including cheaper prices and real control over Britain’s future. But he added: ‘Here the Government has been too timid. It is as if it were carrying out a policy reluctantly – one foist upon it by the electorate, not one it really and enthusiastically wants.’