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Tory MPs 'seek vote on Cameron' | Tory MPs 'seek vote on Cameron' |
(about 8 hours later) | |
At least two Tory MPs are reportedly calling for a vote of no confidence in the party's leader, David Cameron. | |
The Sunday Telegraph says that as many as six MPs have sent letters to the chairman of the party's influential 1922 Committee of backbenchers. | |
It follows a row within the party over grammar schools and two disappointing by-elections, but letters from 29 MPs are needed for any no confidence vote. | |
Tory frontbencher Andrew Mitchell told the BBC it was a "pretty flaky story". | |
The MPs supposedly involved have not been named, and sources close to Mr Cameron have indicated that it was not being taken seriously by the party leadership. | |
'Silly season' | |
1922 Committee chairman Sir Michael Spicer refused to confirm or deny whether he had received any such letters. | 1922 Committee chairman Sir Michael Spicer refused to confirm or deny whether he had received any such letters. |
Mr Mitchell, the shadow international development secretary who is currently leading a Tory aid scheme in the central African country of Rwanda, told the BBC: "It looked like a pretty flaky story to me, I think the silly season has arrived rather early this year." | |
People want us to produce firm and clear policies on issues that worry them most - law and order, immigration and the health service Ann WiddecombeFormer Tory minister | |
Meanwhile, former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe urged Mr Cameron to give greater prominence to tough policies on crime, immigration and health so as to secure the traditional Tory vote. | Meanwhile, former Conservative minister Ann Widdecombe urged Mr Cameron to give greater prominence to tough policies on crime, immigration and health so as to secure the traditional Tory vote. |
She told the Mail on Sunday: "We must not lose our nerve and there is an underlying goodwill towards David Cameron. | She told the Mail on Sunday: "We must not lose our nerve and there is an underlying goodwill towards David Cameron. |
"He has been very successful in getting support from people who previously would not have looked at us. | "He has been very successful in getting support from people who previously would not have looked at us. |
"But he must now pay a great deal of attention to shoring up our traditional vote. | "But he must now pay a great deal of attention to shoring up our traditional vote. |
"People want us to produce firm and clear policies on issues that worry them most - law and order, immigration and the health service." | "People want us to produce firm and clear policies on issues that worry them most - law and order, immigration and the health service." |
The Conservatives were beaten into third place by the Liberal Democrats in two by-elections held in Ealing Southall and Sedgefield last Thursday. | The Conservatives were beaten into third place by the Liberal Democrats in two by-elections held in Ealing Southall and Sedgefield last Thursday. |
And polls for two Sunday newspapers point to a continuing "bounce" effect for Gordon Brown, with the Sunday Times showing a seven-point lead for Labour over the Tories. | And polls for two Sunday newspapers point to a continuing "bounce" effect for Gordon Brown, with the Sunday Times showing a seven-point lead for Labour over the Tories. |
The YouGov poll puts Labour on 40%, the Conservatives on 33% and the Lib Dems on 15%. | The YouGov poll puts Labour on 40%, the Conservatives on 33% and the Lib Dems on 15%. |
A poll carried out for the Observer puts Labour on 41% - six points higher than the Tories on 35%. The Lib Dems were unchanged from the paper's last poll on 15%. | A poll carried out for the Observer puts Labour on 41% - six points higher than the Tories on 35%. The Lib Dems were unchanged from the paper's last poll on 15%. |