Tory turmoil as factions fight for key party posts: MPs at loggerheads over future of backbench 1922 Committee
The Conservative Party will be plunged into a new round of in-fighting today amid claims that David Cameron is trying to silence criticism from Tory traditionalists.
Three groups of MPs are at loggerheads over the future of the backbench 1922 Committee, where MPs can privately air their criticisms of the Prime Minister.
A group of largely loyalist MPs have put forward a ‘slate’ of candidates aiming to seize key posts on the committee from Right-wing critics of Mr Cameron.
Battle: Tory MPs Nick de Bois (left) and Cameron loyalist Karen Bradley are bidding for key roles on the 1922 committee
That plan is run by the 301 Group of MPs, which is named after the number required for a Tory majority at the 2015 general election after boundary changes reduce the number of MPs to 600.
But it has led to a backlash from traditionalists opposed to gay marriage and Lords reform.
They say Downing Street has told parliamentary private secretaries (ministerial aides) to vote for the slate, a move they regard as meddling.
And last night other MPs revealed that they are plotting a ‘counter-revolution’ to thwart the new intake.
Occasional rebel Nick de Bois announced that he would stand for the post of secretary as a ‘non slate’ candidate – an open challenge to those trying to oust Mr Cameron’s critics. He will be up against loyalists Charlie Elphicke and Karen Bradley, who are trying to oust serial Cameron critic Christopher Chope.
Mr de Bois said: ‘I think the 1922 Committee should be big enough to accommodate all views across the party. It’s a good place for people to let off steam and I hope I have the chance to play a role.’ Other MPs angered by the slate say they may also run as third way candidates as an alternative to both the old guard and the 301 group.
David Cameron is accused of trying to silence traditionalist Tories
Stewart Jackson, who quit as a ministerial aide over Europe, said he too would stand for the executive of the committee, where there are 12 posts up for grabs.
Nominations will be announced today and the elections will take place tomorrow.He was shouted down at a meeting of the 1922 Committee by Cameron allies last week when he said MPs should be allowed to make honest criticisms of Mr Cameron.
Mr Jackson said: ‘There’s an instinctive blowback against the 301 slate. People are keen that there is fair criticism from candid friends without being slavishly in thrall to No 10. I’m giving people a greater choice.’
Another MP who intends to stand said: ‘The Prime Minister called in the PPSs and presented them with people from the slate. That has fuelled suspicions that he is interfering.’
Committee chairman Graham Brady, a Right-winger who resigned from the front bench over the issue of grammar schools, will not be challenged.
But a senior backbencher warned that seeking to drive others off the committee would actually hurt not help Mr Cameron since it would mean he would not get to hear MPs’ concerns.
‘If the result is perceived to be a careerist, one-sided slate taking all the positions, that will alienate people,’ he added.
Those vying for a place on the committee include George Hollingbery, George Eustice, and Priti Patel – all MPs from the 2010 intake. The old guard under threat includes the arch Eurosceptics Peter Bone and Bernard Jenkin.
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