Tory leadership contest would ‘not be helpful’ says 1922 chairman Graham Brady
3 min read
A leadership contest in the Conservative party would "not be helpful" to the Brexit negotiations, according to the MP who would announce a vote of no confidence in Theresa May.
Sir Graham Brady said not enough Tory MPs had submitted letters of no confidence to trigger a challenge - and said he was offended by accusations he could try to delay a vote.
More than 20 Tories angry at the Prime Minister’s Brexit plan have gone public to say they have submitted letters of no confidence to the 1922 Committee of backbenchers, which he chairs.
Exactly 48 letters - or 15% of the parliamentary party - are required to trigger a challenge. Rumours had been circulating that the threshold had been met and a vote could take place early next week.
But Sir Graham said he was yet to receive the 48 letters – and noted that even his wife Victoria had no idea how many were in his desk drawer.
He also warned fellow backbenchers that a vote of no confidence in the PM “probably wouldn’t be” helpful to the Brexit negotiations.
“We are now coming to the end game of a very serious, very difficult negotiation,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“And for the Conservative party to be plunged into uncertainty, for the Government to be plunged into uncertainty would have implications for that.”
'OFFENSIVE'
Sir Graham hit out at suggestions from fellow Tory MPs that he was intentionality holding back information about the number of letters which he had received to delay a contest.
“One of the crazy things that has taken hold over the last few weeks is people in the media and elsewhere suggesting that this could be something that could go on for weeks and it is entirely discretionary process for me. It’s not,” he said.
“Sometimes it is slightly offensive as well. This is job I couldn't do unless my colleague trusted me. If they don’t trust me then they should get someone else to do the job. It is important the people trust my integrity in this.
“It’s an important responsibility and one I take seriously and obviously I wouldn’t pay silly games with it.”
Mr Brady said he “had no intention” of penning his own letter of no-confidence in the Prime Minister – even though he was “not happy” about her Brexit plans.
Meanwhile, Mrs May warned Tory critics threatening to topple her that they could end up throwing Brexit away. Appearing on Sky News this morning, the PM said the process of quitting the EU could be “delayed or frustrated” if restless backbenchers trigger a vote of no confidence in her leadership.
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