UK NEWS
TORY REVOLT GROWS IN BID TO OUST CAMERON
David Cameron has come under attack from members of his party
By Alison Little, Deputy Political Editor
A CONSERVATIVE rebellion against leader David Cameron was gathering pace last night, as up to six MPs were said to be demanding a vote on a “no confidence” motion.
But a defiant Mr Cameron insisted that he has “every chance’’ of winning the next General Election.
As new opinion polls showed Labour with a commanding lead, Mr Cameron insisted there would be “no retreat to the comfort zone’’ of old-style, right-wing Conservatism.
In an interview broadcast yesterday, he said he would not be pushed off course.
Asked if he still believed he could win the next election, Mr Cameron replied: “Yes. There is going to be a very tough battle for the next election.
“But...I think we have every chance of fighting that election, fighting to win and winning it.’’
Discontent in Tory ranks was fuelled after the party trailed in third place behind the Lib Dems in last week’s by-elections for the safe Labour seats of Ealing Southall and Sedgefield.
Mr Cameron visited a flood-hit area of his Oxfordshire constituency yesterday, be-fore flying to Rwanda, Africa, to join Tory colleagues doing voluntary work there – and to publish his party’s proposals on overseas aid.
Some colleagues questioned his decision to leave the country at such a time. They believe he will need all his energies to face what could be a challenging last meeting of Tory MPs on Wednesday, before Parliament rises for its long summer holiday.
Yesterday, it was reported that at least two MPs – possibly up to six – had formally written to Tory backbench committee chairman Sir Michael Spicer calling for a no-confidence vote.
Aides insisted that the leadership was not taking the story seriously. Fifteen per cent of the parliamentary party – 29 MPs – would be needed to trigger a vote of no confidence. Although no one believes that so many opposers are in the pipeline, and with even his critics accepting that Mr Cameron is “the only game in town’’, the move has underlined the challenge facing the party leader.
He was further battered yesterday by two opinion polls.
A YouGov survey showed Labour enjoying its biggest lead over the Tories for 21 months.
It put Labour on 40 per cent, up five from last month, and the Conservatives down four, on 33 per cent.
Meanwhile, an Ipsos Mori survey found support for Labour breaking through the symbolic 40 per cent barrier for the first time in nearly two years.
It was on 41 per cent, six points ahead of the Tories.
TORY REVOLT GROWS IN BID TO OUST CAMERON
24.07.07, 8:31am
What we need right now is a LEADER who is prepared to "BAT FOR BRITAIN" - first and foremost !
We have just experienced enough over the last 10 years of a so called leader who seemed proccupied with his own standing in the World and ANYTHING other than Britain and its interests.
Posted by: EmperorMing Report Comment
THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN MUST BE SKITTLES
23.07.07, 7:58pm
His predecessors all seem to have gone down like NINEPINS, Will Dave the jellyfish go down as a strike?
No Policies, No firm promises.... No spine. Thatcher had her faults, but at least she stood up for what she believed, Maybe Dave would look good in a skirt to become the "Iron Lady 2", but I doubt it.
More interested in "fluffy wishy-washy” issues, than the people of this country.
Posted by: Rusty Report Comment
THE TORIES HAVE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD
23.07.07, 5:21pm
While Cameron gets up to his knees in floodwater in his Oxfordshire constitiency, the Brutus counterparts in the Cons grab their scythes, knifes and prepare to stab yet again another of their leaders in the back.
As the Tory Traitors prepare to vote no confidence in converse clad Cameron, there is one thing we should ponder - is this a cry for help?
The traitor trend of the Tories to shove their leaders once they come into some sort of influence on the political mainstream is alarming and I feel, as an unqualified nut-case-corrector that this behaviour, often seen in children doing the outrageous to get attention, is a sign that all is not well in the Tory towers.
Are the Tory grassroots afraid to feel power after ten long years?
Are they confused of their politicality and afraid to come out?
Or maybe a more logical explanation could explain this recurring problem.....they're not in fact Tory.
Stranger things have happened.
Just think of the possibilities of infiltrating an enemy political faction! Plenty of leaking to opposition rags, learning the ropes and practices of the party head quarters, breaking the party from within....the list is endless.
What if this in fact Labour's way of ensuring that the Tories cannot and won't ever get into 10 Downing Street again?
If revealed true, it would certainly improve my stance towards the government.
While it is utterly nuts, what makes this quite croyable is that none of the MPs have dared to reveal their names.
Surely this is proof?
If these "gutless snipers" (Andrew Mitchell) felt so strongly about Cameron's whereabouts, why are they so spineless not to go public with their heart held views?
Cowardice? Perhaps
Success complex? Maybe
Labour's new way to quash opposition? Very probable
The Tories have never had it so good so why are they so bent on destroying their chances to rid for once and for all, the loony lefties and head of this sleazeful excuse for a government, King John?
Buck your ideas up, won't you, dear Tories - there's an election to be won!
Posted by: WorldsGreatestExpressFan Report Comment
OUR MAN AT THE BBC
23.07.07, 4:36pm
He is going to Rwanda,as part of love in with the BBC.The luvvies at the beeb,have asked their liberal plant, to promote more African awareness(asif we are not getting enough of it allready)When he comes back he has faithfully promised his guardian followers a full account of how much the taxpayers will fork outfor macaroons pet project.
Posted by: banachech Report Comment
CHUCK HIM
23.07.07, 4:34pm
He should be in the green party or hugging a tree yet he's leader of the Tory party. This is a guy that cares more about Africa then the British & I wouldn't vote for him in a million years
Posted by: Defiant Report Comment
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