WATCH: Andrea Leadsom refuses to back Theresa May leading Tories into next election
2 min read
A senior Cabinet minister has refused to back Theresa May fighting the next election as Tory leader, saying: “Politics is a short-term game.”
Commons leader Andrea Leadsom - who stood against said Mrs May for the top job in 2016 - said the Prime Minister had enjoyed a successful speech at the Conservative party conference yesterday, but noted that “a week changes a lot”.
Her refusal to endorse her leader comes as the PM fights to hold her party together around her Brexit plan – despite the deep splits that were apparent during the Birmingham jamboree.
She was handed a boost by her well-received conference address, in which she outlined new plans on cancer and housing, but pledged to stick to her controversial Chequers proposals on quitting the EU.
Asked on the ITV Peston show last night whether she was backing her boss to fight the next election, Ms Leadsom - a leading Brexiteer - pointedly refused to say she did.
She said: “I just think politics is a short-term game. A week changes a lot.
“I think she's had a fantastic day today. She's shown some enormous priorities around future cancer prevention through housing supply and absolutely her commitment to getting a good Brexit.
“And I think we should all be backing her.”
The senior MP - who fought Mrs May for the top job in 2016 - added that the length of time Mrs May wanted to go on as Prime Minister would be “a matter for her”.
Shortly before the PM’s crunch conference speech yesterday, one Tory MP revealed he had submitted a letter of no-confidence in her to the chair of the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers.
Brexiteer James Dudderidge said he had spoken to no Conservative colleagues who believed the Prime Minister should still be leader by the next election.
Under Tory rules, 48 MPs need to submit letters to Graham Brady, chair of the committee, to trigger a vote of confidence.
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