Secret weapon that can save us from Corbyn

QUIETLY, like a fire slowly taking hold below decks in a huge ship, a new rebellion against Theresa May is growing in the parliamentary Tory Party.

Every Conservative MP and member across the country must hope this blaze can be put out before it is too late. The current government’s weakness and lack of direction are already costing it votes and popularity.

Insiders are shuddering at the likely results of fast-approaching local elections in early May south of the Border, and at the growing number of MPs calling for a leadership contest, which is automatically triggered when their number reaches 48.

Grant Shapps, a former Tory chairman, urges on this page today that Mrs May heads off these demands and defuses the rebellion, by saying she will not lead her party into the next Election. It is an ingenious and bold idea – though it could make the Prime Minister even weaker than she is now. In any case, those leading Tories who hope to fulfil their leadership ambitions by stirring up trouble for Mrs May must grasp a simple point.

If they are not careful, then they will be fighting over who will be the Leader of the Opposition – not over who will be Premier.

A Corbyn landslide at any stage is far from certain and is preventable by resolve and good government. But if such a thing happens at the next Election, then those who took every chance to start factional squabbles and build up their personal votes will be largely to blame.

Mrs May would no doubt like to assert herself. But the failure of her reshuffle has left her as little more than a figurehead, who can unite only by being so vague that nobody can disagree with her.

However, senior Ministers clustered on the rungs immediately below her can give a lead – if they wish.

Vicious attacks by Brexiteers on anyone who suggests a pragmatic outcome to EU talks should cease. It is perfectly legitimate, and well within any reasonable interpretation of the referendum result, for Chancellor Philip Hammond to make this case. It is equally legitimate for others to oppose it, but reasonably and discreetly, as allies should do who don’t want to help the enemy.

The secret weapon that can save us from disaster (and Corbynism) is called self-discipline. If the Tories will not learn to use it now, they will have several grim years in which to understand its importance later on.

The trouble is that so will the people of this country, who will not lightly forgive those who opened the gates to the Corbynites.