Is this how the Tories will fix the 'Theresa May problem'?

Westminster is full of rumours about how the Prime Minister will be replaced. Here are the papers' favourites

Theresa May in Norwich on election day
(Image credit: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

Sunday's newspapers teemed with speculation that the Tories are planning to oust Theresa May as she prepares an attempt to get her Queen's Speech through parliament.

Caretaker Phil

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The Sunday Times claims Philip Hammond might become a caretaker prime minister as part of an alliance with Brexit Secretary David Davis to safely deliver the UK's departure from the EU.

Unnamed ministers told the paper the Chancellor could be anointed as leader before the party conference in October, "provided he vows to stand down after two years so that someone else can lead the Conservatives into the next election".

A former cabinet MP said: "He told me that if Theresa May could be Prime Minister, so could he."

Hammond would face "some resistance" by Eurosceptics concerned about his push for a soft Brexit, keeping Britain in the EU customs union. However, these fears would apparently be assuaged were committed Brexiteer Davis to be given the position of deputy PM.

However, a close ally of Boris Johnson said the would fight any Hammond-Davis coronation plan "tooth and nail".

He added: "Hammond would bury us. He comes across as uncaring and cold, a 'can't do' politician, when the public wants a 'can do' figure."

The next generation

According to the Sunday Telegraph, Tory MPs and donors are plotting to "skip a generation" and install a younger leader as the current frontrunners are too "contaminated", in the words of one party veteran.

There is a growing feeling that Boris Johnson and David Davis are "figures from the past", says the paper, and that only younger faces can reverse Tory fortunes, says the paper.

Some have highlighted David Cameron's rise from relative obscurity to lead the party over a decade ago as a positive example of a fresh-faced approach.

"If and when this happens, we need Year Zero – a real radical revolution," a Tory MP said.

Hopes are reportedly turning to the "golden generation" of MPs elected in 2010, with Business Secretary Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab, the Eurosceptic justice minister, and International Development Secretary Priti Patel all being talked up by colleagues.

Other names mentioned include Jesse Norman, Brandon Lewis and Jo Johnson, brother of Boris.

Every PM needs a Willie

The Sun on Sunday says May has called on the party's former leader William Hague "to help rebuild the shattered party brand".

Such a move would mirror the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, who leant heavily on cabinet veteran William Whitelaw and once told a Tory conference: "Every PM needs a Willie."

However, Hague denied the paper's report that he had agreed to meet the Prime Minister in Downing Street to discuss a new advisory and supportive role.

No 10 also dismissed rumours circulating around Westminster that May had offered him Hague the role of deputy prime minister.