Tory backbenchers ‘to tell May to leave by end of June’
Disgruntled Brexiteers intensifying efforts to oust the Prime Minister
Disgruntled Conservative MPs will intensify their efforts to oust Theresa May from Downing Street, according to reports this morning.
The Daily Telegraph reports that May will be told to name the date of her departure or face being ousted in June after the party’s “patience with her finally ran out”.
The 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers is due to meet today. Its chairman, Sir Graham Brady, will reportedly warn the Prime Minister that the party will change its rules to make it easier to throw out unpopular leaders if they refuse to go.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The meeting is expected to agree that the minimum period between confidence votes in a leader should be cut from 12 months to six months. This would mean that May could be challenged on June 12, six months after she won a confidence vote by 200 votes to 117.
Meanwhile, ITV’s political correspondent Paul Brand reports a conversation he had with a member of the 1922 committee, stating that: “Rather than Easter seeing a rebirth of support for PM, this MP suggests the reverse has happened.”
A different MP said he thought it would be “sensible and logical” for Brady to pressure May to go soon. “She seems to be mainly staying on out of a sense of stubbornness,” the MP added.
Yet another disgruntled Tory MP said May will be told that she cannot “superglue herself to Downing Street like the eco-warriors”.
In a separate blow for the PM, she will face a symbolic no-confidence motion from a group representing Conservative grassroots members. The National Conservative Convention will call an emergency meeting to hear the motion next month after the necessary number of local party chairs signed a petition supporting the move.
Speculation over who would replace May is mounting once again, with a survey of party members for the Conservative Home website indicating that 32% want Boris Johnson - more than twice that of his nearest rival Dominic Raab on 15%.
The Guardian adds that since the Brexit deadline was pushed back until October 31st, the “political vacuum has immediately been filled by manoeuvres to remove May from No 10”.
Cross-party Brexit talks are due to resume today at the Cabinet Office, although there is little optimism on either side that the negotiations will result in a deal.
A Government team including David Lidington - May’s de facto deputy - and the Brexit secretary, Steve Barclay, will sit down with Barclay’s Labour shadow, Keir Starmer, and shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Who will replace Rishi Sunak as the next Tory leader?
In Depth Shortlist will be whittled down to two later today
By The Week UK Last updated
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published