Plotters warned Tories could 'skip a generation' on May's successor
Scheming ministers have been warned they could sabotage their leadership ambitions and cause the Tories to "skip a generation".
Tuesday 18 July 2017 20:29, UK
Cabinet plotters angling for Theresa May's job have been told to "zip it" - or else the Conservatives will "skip a generation" when it comes to picking the Prime Minister's successor.
Charles Walker, a vice chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs, told Sky News Mrs May would have the committee's backing if she decides to sack disloyal ministers who do not fall into line.
"The 1922 committee made clear to her when we met her last week that if she has to get rid of a Cabinet minister who can't play the team game then she will have our support in doing that," he said.
Mr Walker put any scheming Cabinet members on notice, warning them they could end up sabotaging their own hopes of becoming Prime Minister.
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He said: "If those in the Cabinet can't zip it up and get on with their day-to-day jobs then when it does come to choosing a new leader of the Conservative Party, we will skip a generation and go for a fresher, more collegiate face."
Mr Walker said he thought such an outcome was a "very real prospect", adding: "Most Conservative members of Parliament, whether they hold a ministerial position or are backbenchers like myself, want to get on with the business of governing.
"That is what the Prime Minister is doing and that's what most Cabinet members are doing.
"It does seem there are a few Cabinet members who are distracted by other less important things such as their career advancement and that is not to be tolerated within the current Conservative Party."
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Mr Walker said Mrs May was doing an "absolutely excellent job", and that a united Government could capitalise on discord within Labour and take advantage of Jeremy Corbyn's "much larger problems".
"I think we need to get on with governing and allow the Labour Party to tear itself apart in the months and years ahead," he said, referring to claims
Another top Conservative MP, Treasury Select Committee chair Nicky Morgan, has meanwhile told Sky News the best time for the PM to go could be once Brexit negotiations are completed in March 2019.
Mr Walker's intervention comes after Mrs May told her top team they after a series of damaging leaks.
Splits at the top of the Government have made headlines in recent days, with disclosures of remarks designed to damage Philip Hammond - including claims he said public sector workers were "overpaid" and "even a woman can drive a train".
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Mr Hammond responded by appearing to accuse colleagues of briefing against him due to their unhappiness with his position on leaving the EU.
At a weekly meeting of her ministers in Downing Street, Mrs May told the Cabinet that the briefings and counter-briefings were "a case of colleagues not taking their responsibilities seriously".