Plotters threaten to depose Duncan Smith
At the Tory party conference in Blackpool, rumours abound that Iain Duncan Smith will face an imminent leadership contest.
Although it is unlikely disgruntled Tory backbenchers will launch a bid to dethrone Duncan Smith at conference, there are reports that plotters will gather secretly next week to garner support from 25 backbenchers who are contemplating a no confidence vote against Mr Duncan Smith.
It is reported that a small ‘inner core’ of rebels will circulate a letter to Westminster colleagues calling on Duncan Smith to step down.
25 backbenchers must come forward before Duncan Smith’s helmsmanship can be put to the test.
According to reports, Sir Michael Spicer, chairman of the 1922 committee, already has ’10 to 12′ letters from MPs expressing their lack of confidence in the leader.
In spite of the beleaguered leader’s apparently gripless control of the rank and file, no real challenger appears on the horizon, although the usual suspects Kenneth Clarke, Michael Portillo and Michael Howard have been mooted.
David Maclean, the Conservative chief whip, ordered Tory MPs to get behind the leader. ‘There’s no Messiah. There’s no backbencher, there’s no frontbencher that will command better support than Iain Duncan Smith.’
Archie Norman, the former head of Asda and ex-Tory frontbencher, said the party was in a ‘pretty parlous state.’
At the Tory party conference in Blackpool, rumours abound that Iain Duncan Smith will face an imminent leadership contest.
Although it is unlikely disgruntled Tory backbenchers will launch a bid to dethrone Duncan Smith at conference, there are reports that plotters will gather secretly next week to garner support from 25 backbenchers who are prepared to launch a no confidence vote against Mr Duncan Smith.
It is reported that a small ‘inner core’ of rebels will circulate a letter to Westminster colleagues calling on Duncan Smith to step down.
25 backbenchers must come forward before Duncan Smith’s helmsmanship can be put to the test.
According to reports, Sir Michael Spicer, chairman of the 1922 committee, already has ’10 to 12′ letters from MPs expressing their lack of confidence in the leader.
In spite of the beleaguered leader’s apparently gripless control of the rank and file, no real challenger appears on the horizon, although the usual suspects Kenneth Clarke, Michael Portillo and Michael Howard have been mooted.
David Maclean, the Conservative chief whip, ordered Tory MPs to get behind the leader. ‘There’s no Messiah. There’s no backbencher, there’s no frontbencher that will command better support than Iain Duncan Smith.’
Archie Norman, the former head of Asda and ex-Tory frontbencher, said the party was in a ‘pretty parlous state.’
