Theresa May throws down gauntlet to Tory critics by vowing to fight confidence vote
2 min read
Downing Street has insisted Theresa May will contest any vote of confidence in her leadership.
Speculation is mounting that the 48 MPs' letters required to trigger a vote will soon have been delivered to Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 committee.
Asked if the Prime Minister would take part in any such contest, a Number 10 spokesman said: "Yes."
Pressure is mounting on Mrs May following the resignations of David Davis and Boris Johnson from the Cabinet over the Brexit strategy they signed up to at Chequers last Friday.
But speaking after the Prime Minister made a statement to the Commons, her spokesman insisted she was getting on with the job.
He said: "The PM set out in the House why the agreement that has been reached is a good thing in order to deliver Brexit.
"She also talked about some of the domestic agenda that we are driving forward, things like the long-term plan for the NHS, and I think that is the compelling offer that the Government is making."
Asked by the SNP's Pete Wishart if she would contest a no confidence vote, the Prime Minister said: "Nice try but I'm getting on with the job of delivering what the British people want."
Meanwhile, Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson has given Mrs May her backing and called on her colleagues to "put their shoulders to the wheel" and support her.
She said: "I believe that the Prime Minister's Chequers plan is a sensible compromise approach, which both respects the referendum result to leave the EU, while offering pragmatism on trade, skills and regulation.
"For Scotland, those proposals will provide business with frictionless access to the EU, ensure we leave the Common Fisheries Policy, and make clear there will not be a border in the Irish Sea.
"This all helps to bolster Scotland’s biggest and most important market, the UK internal market.
"I believe therefore that the Prime Minister deserves our support as she prepares for the upcoming tough negotiations with the European Union.
"I would urge colleagues to put their shoulders to the wheel in supporting the Prime Minister in that job."
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
