Theresa May enjoys popularity surge in wake of botched Brexiteer coup
2 min read
Tory Brexiteers’ failed attempt to unseat Theresa May has bolstered the Prime Minister’s standing among the public, according to a new poll.
A YouGov survey for the Times found that 46% of voters now believe the Prime Minister should stay in her job, compared to just 33% a week ago.
The poll also showed the proportion wanting her to leave Downing Street has fallen from 47% to 34%.
The findings are a major boost for the beleaguered Prime Minster following days of speculation that Tory eurosceptics unhappy with her Brexit deal were poised to unseat her.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, chair of the European Research Group of Brexiteer backbenchers, even held a press conference when he submitted a letter of no confidence in Mrs May last week.
But since then, the Tory rebels have failed to come up with the 48 letters required to trigger a formal vote.
In an embarrassing climbdown, Mr Rees-Mogg yesterday conceded that his campaign to oust the Prime Minister had proved to be more difficult than anticipated, and warned wavering colleagues that it was now or never to end her leadership.
Meanwile, Mrs May will travel to Brussels today for talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker as the Brexit negotiations enter the final straight.
The talks will focus on the UK and EU's future relationship and come as leaders prepare for a special EU council in Brussels on Sunday to finally sign off the deal.
Writing in the Telegraph today, former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab - who quit the Cabinet last week - tore into Mrs May’s draft withdrawal agreement and urged her not to give in to Brussels’ “bullying tactics”.
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