The texts from Theresa May’s own MPs that suggest her government is on the brink of collapse
Given the outbursts from Conservative MPs, it looks like Theresa May’s government is on the brink of collapse. Sky News senior political correspondent Beth Rigby reported:
Minister texts; “She’s so weak she’s allowed the inexperienced Chief whip to appoint himself”
— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) November 2, 2017
Another text from a senior Conservative MP doesn’t really paint a better picture:
Read on...
Text from senior Tory MP about Gavin Williamson: "He's out of the shitstorm. Knifed Fallon and pinched his job. It's way above his ability."
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) November 2, 2017
“Weaker than any of us thought”
On 1 November, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon resigned. Chief Whip Gavin Williamson took his position, causing what looks like a civil war within the Conservative Party. The New Statesman reports that a female Conservative MP simply called Williamson a “self-serving cunt”.
Many Conservatives are now openly gunning for May. ITV‘s Robert Peston reports that even MPs “formerly loyal” to the Prime Minister are turning against her:
An MP formerly loyal to May: “she had a golden opportunity to do the right thing and appoint the right people to the right jobs. She’s just blown it and exposed herself as weaker than any of us thought. She’s being controlled by young men in suits. I now despair”.
— Robert Peston (@Peston) November 2, 2017
But not everyone is up in arms. Theresa May’s former chief of staff tweeted:
https://twitter.com/NickJTimothy/status/926048932622368768
Although this did not provoke a positive reaction from prominent Conservative MP Anna Soubry:
Concerning comment from someone who helped lose the Conservative Party its majority & destroy 10 years hard work to make us electable. https://t.co/1IVKkvJWaT
— Anna Soubry MP (@Anna_Soubry) November 2, 2017
On top of that, even Conservative ministers aren’t holding back. Jason Groves, Political Editor of The Daily Mail, tweeted:
Minister emerging from Commons tea room describes Gavin Williamson appointment as 'the most unpopular political decision I have ever known'
— Jason Groves (@JasonGroves1) November 2, 2017
One other minister told BuzzFeed News that the appointment has “gone down like a cup of cold sick”, while another attacked Williamson and suggested he has leadership ambitions:
Minister tells me: "She's gone mad. It's real 'end of days' stuff. He's [Williamson] a real slimeball, w/ his own leadership team in place"
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) November 2, 2017
Rocky government
May’s government has been on the rocks since she lost her parliamentary majority in the 2017 general election. As a result, the Prime Minister was forced to enter a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to maintain her grip on power. This cost the taxpayer £1bn.
At the Conservative Party conference in October, May’s flagship speech was widely denounced as a disaster from across the political spectrum. Even Rupert Murdoch’s The Times announced that the Prime Minister was on her “final warning” on its front page. It’s unclear whether she’ll survive another episode. Especially with so many of May’s own MPs openly attacking her.
Get Involved!
– Make your thoughts on the situation known. Contact your MP and be vocal on social media.
Featured image via YouTube screenshot
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