UK - A Leadership challenge against Theresa May appears imminent following her Brexit manifesto, it has been revealed, with letters calling for a no-confidence vote in the Prime Minister piling up. Letters are being lodged with Graham Brady, Chairman of the influential 1922 Committee, ahead of a Tory Party showdown on Monday. The fallout comes amid mounting fury from disgruntled Conservative backbenchers following publication of Mrs May’s 12-point Brexit manifesto.
Leave MPs are furious at what they see as Mrs May’s caving in to demands from the Remain wing of the party to steer Britain towards a soft Brexit. If 48 letters are received by Mr Brady, Mrs May would be forced to stand down and fight a leadership contest. However, Mrs May is said to be confident of facing down rebels plotting to oust her. One aide told the Sunday Mirror: "Once it’s done, it’s done."
It is reported that Eurosceptics are circulating a draft statement urging Mrs May to quit. During Friday's summit, Mrs May restored cabinet collective responsibility as she bolstered her grip on rebellious Eurosceptics in her Cabinet. Ministers speaking out against her ‘soft-Brexit strategy’ now face the sack.
Mrs May has been bracing herself for a backlash following her latest Brexit fudge. The Prime Minister is set to address all 316 Tory MPs on Monday, but rebels would need 48 MPs to try launch a challenge.