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Election result: Theresa May has lost the support of Conservative party members who want her to resign, finds survey | Election result: Theresa May has lost the support of Conservative party members who want her to resign, finds survey |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Theresa May has lost the support of Conservative members who want her to resign after her election failure, according to a large survey. | |
Almost 60 per cent of grassroots Tories told the ConservativeHome website that the Prime Minister must fall on her sword after destroying her Commons majority. | Almost 60 per cent of grassroots Tories told the ConservativeHome website that the Prime Minister must fall on her sword after destroying her Commons majority. |
The results were described as “astonishing” by the website’s editor, former MP Paul Goodman, who said: “It is the most damning finding in one of our polls that I can remember.” | The results were described as “astonishing” by the website’s editor, former MP Paul Goodman, who said: “It is the most damning finding in one of our polls that I can remember.” |
The verdict suggests that Conservative MPs, back in their constituencies, will be facing strong pressure to mount a leadership challenge when they return to Westminster next week. | The verdict suggests that Conservative MPs, back in their constituencies, will be facing strong pressure to mount a leadership challenge when they return to Westminster next week. |
Since Friday’s results, some senior Tories are referring to Ms May as an “interim leader” – and her Cabinet has failed to come out publicly to support her. | Since Friday’s results, some senior Tories are referring to Ms May as an “interim leader” – and her Cabinet has failed to come out publicly to support her. |
It would require 15 per cent of Conservative MPs – a total of 48 – to write to Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, to trigger a vote of no-confidence in her leadership. | It would require 15 per cent of Conservative MPs – a total of 48 – to write to Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, to trigger a vote of no-confidence in her leadership. |
Ms May would be forced to resign if she then failed to win a majority. Alternatively, the Prime Minister could decide the game is up and quit without a vote. | Ms May would be forced to resign if she then failed to win a majority. Alternatively, the Prime Minister could decide the game is up and quit without a vote. |
ConservativeHome received 4,763 replies in just 24 hours to its post-election survey on Ms May’s future – “the second-biggest response and the most rapid”. | ConservativeHome received 4,763 replies in just 24 hours to its post-election survey on Ms May’s future – “the second-biggest response and the most rapid”. |
Of those, 65 per cent said the Prime Minister should go. Among members, 894 of 1,503, almost 60 per cent, said her time is up. | Of those, 65 per cent said the Prime Minister should go. Among members, 894 of 1,503, almost 60 per cent, said her time is up. |
Mr Goodman said: “Obviously, party members and our readers are angry in the election’s aftermath, and it may be that if the question is asked again in a week’s time, it gets a different answer. | |
“It is the most damning finding in one of our polls that I can remember. | |
“The view of our readers as a whole? 65 per cent believe that May should announce her resignation, and 31 per cent do not.” | “The view of our readers as a whole? 65 per cent believe that May should announce her resignation, and 31 per cent do not.” |
The influential website is urging her to strengthen her Cabinet by bringing back “her most heavyweight critics off the backbenches” – including Michael Gove, Dominic Grieve and Nicky Morgan. | The influential website is urging her to strengthen her Cabinet by bringing back “her most heavyweight critics off the backbenches” – including Michael Gove, Dominic Grieve and Nicky Morgan. |
“This is a time for humility, reconciliation – and all hands on deck,” Mr Goodman added. | “This is a time for humility, reconciliation – and all hands on deck,” Mr Goodman added. |
However, Conservative MPs appear to have rejected the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement that a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) could keep in place for a full five-year parliament. | |
An assumption seems to be growing that she should stay only in the short term, to provide stability and start the Brexit talks, before making way. | |
One former minister, Ed Vaizey, indicated that Tory MPs were actively discussing Ms May’s position using the WhatsApp messaging system. | One former minister, Ed Vaizey, indicated that Tory MPs were actively discussing Ms May’s position using the WhatsApp messaging system. |
Asked if there were phone calls being made between Tories about the next leader, Mr Vaizey told the BBC: “That’s so 20th century. It’s all on WhatsApp. Lots of MPs are in lots of different groups.” | Asked if there were phone calls being made between Tories about the next leader, Mr Vaizey told the BBC: “That’s so 20th century. It’s all on WhatsApp. Lots of MPs are in lots of different groups.” |
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