Tory donor demands Duncan Smith’s early exit
An influential Tory donor has openly called for a no confidence vote against beleaguered leader Iain Duncan Smith.
Stuart Wheeler, who contributed GBP5 million to the party’s last election campaign, made his comments on the BBC radio yesterday.
He said Conservative backbenchers had a “duty” to challenge Duncan Smith. He urged MPs to gather the 25 signatures needed to force a vote of no confidence.
Mr Duncan Smith was roundly criticised for being “terribly” poor at getting the party’s message across and for lacking prime ministerial qualities.
“He doesn’t come over at all as a potential Prime Minister. He comes over as weak,” he said.
Mr Wheeler said there was an “absolutely overwhelming” case for changing the leader.
Mr Wheeler’s intervention has raised once again the spectre of party funding for the Tories. Other donors came forward yesterday to question where the party was going.
Former treasurer Lord Ashcroft asked why anyone would give money to a “gaggle of squabbling losers.”
David Maclean, the chief whip, yesterday canvassed backbenchers and reported back to Duncan Smith on the general negative sentiment among MPs.
Duncan Smith was forced to comment on his own standing after a meeting of the shadow cabinet: “I am staying as leader. I earned that right. I am sticking with the job and I intend to lead this party into the general election.”
Mr Wheeler said ‘several people’ could lead the party ‘very well.’ He named Michael Howard, David Davis and Oliver Letwin, but he stressed there were ‘several others.”
