Talks between British Prime Minister Theresa May and the opposition Labour party have resumed following the Easter break just as May is facing an open revolt within her own Conservative Party. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn once again called on May to abandon her red lines as no breakthrough is in sight. Corbyn is calling for a Customs Union with the EU, which would in large part resolve the impasse over the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is unlikely, however, that May can deliver on a compromise as a Customs Union membership would see more than half her cabinet walk out. The joint executive secretary of the backbench 1922 Committee is seeking to change the rules of the Conservative Party to change leadership. He accused the prime minister of “reaching out to the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn” rather than reaching out to “the people.” This view echoes a call by 70 Conservative association who are calling for a new leadership … [Read more...] about May resumes Brexit talks with opposition amid Conservative party revolt
Conservative party
Rugby councillor will stand in election as she fights temporary suspension from Conservative Party
A Rugby councillor and prominent Leave campaigner who has been temporarily suspended from the Conservative Party will stand as an independent candidate in the upcoming local elections as she fights the suspension. Lisa Parker has led the Leave campaign in Rugby since 2016 and has been an outspoken critic of Theresa May and Remainer MPs in the local press and on Twitter.She was elected as a Conservative councillor in the Bilton ward in 2015 and is standing to retain that seat in the May 2 council elections. But Cllr Parker has been temporarily suspended from the Conservative party - and she told the Advertiser she will stand as an independent as she appeals the suspension. She said: “People will see this for what it is - a blatant attempt to oust the outspoken local leader of the Leave campaign here in Rugby - with a completely groundless and, frankly, ridiculous allegation of 'bringing the party into disrepute'."I am currently appealing the decision to suspend me for three months … [Read more...] about Rugby councillor will stand in election as she fights temporary suspension from Conservative Party
Ribble Valley MP calls for fresh leadership of Conservative Party
Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has called for Prime Minister Theresa May to quit as soon as possible. The leading Brexiteer and Tory backbencher, who is the joint executive secretary of the 1922 Committee, said the process for selecting a new leader “can’t start soon enough”.“To be honest, I would be delighted if she announced today she was announcing her resignation and we could then have an orderly election to choose a new leader of the Conservative party,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.“I believe the only way we’re going to break this impasse properly is if we have fresh leadership of the Conservative Party … If there was an announcement today by the prime minister then of course we could start the process straight away.”Mr Evans' call came as talks between the government and senior Labour figures on how to resolve the Parliamentary deadlock on Brexit resumed as MPs returned to Westminster following Easter. The UK … [Read more...] about Ribble Valley MP calls for fresh leadership of Conservative Party
Nigel Farage second most popular choice among Conservative Party councillors to be next Tory leader, finds new poll
Nigel Farage is the second most popular choice among Conservative Party councillors to be the next Tory leader, a new poll has found. Only Boris Johnson is more popular than the leader of The Brexit Party with Mr Farage ahead of frontrunner candidates including Michael Gove, Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid and Dominic Raab. Mr Johnson, the former foreign secretary and prominent Brexiteer, was backed by 19 per cent of Tory councillors as the best option to take over from Theresa May when the field included Mr Farage. The former Ukip leader was supported by 15 per cent of the 781 Tory councillors polled by Survation between April 17 and 19. The findings are likely to prompt a moment of reflection among... To continue reading this article Start your free trial of Premium Access all Premium articles Subscriber-only events Cancel any time Free for 30 days then only £2 per week Try Premium Access one Premium article per week Register for free … [Read more...] about Nigel Farage second most popular choice among Conservative Party councillors to be next Tory leader, finds new poll
Issue of Europe runs like ‘fault line through Conservative Party’
It was October 30, 1990, and Margaret Thatcher was on her feet at the despatch box of the United Kingdom's House of Commons. Directly responding to calls from then-European Commission president Jacques Delors for greater central control in Europe, she roared, "No! No! No!". The UK prime minister's trademark defiance came against the backdrop of increasing divisions within her Conservative Party over the thorny issue of Europe. Weeks later, the so-called "Iron Lady" of British politics would be forced from power after 11 dominant years. Fast forward nearly three decades, and Prime Minister Theresa May is the embattled UK leader presiding over a Conservative Party rife with European divisions. But, unlike Thatcher, May is currently trying to steer her nation out of the European Union (EU) itself. For many observers, Brexit - the proposed withdrawal of the UK from the EU - is the culmination of decades of bitter disputes over Europe that have afflicted the Conservative Party. Indeed, the … [Read more...] about Issue of Europe runs like ‘fault line through Conservative Party’