A senior Conservative MP has warned that the party must be bolder if it is to fight off the challenge from Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour at the next election.
Sir Nicholas Soames is the latest Tory backbencher to voice unease about the style of Theresa May’s administration, after former minister Nick Boles warned of “timidity and lack of ambition”.
The veteran Mid-Sussex MP, a former defence minister and grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, who has represented the Tories in the House of Commons since 1983, used Twitter to warn that the party’s offer to voters was “dull, dull, dull”.
In one of the extended hashtags which have become his social media trademark, Sir Nicholas asked: “Where’s the bold and brave? So far, it’s dull, dull, dull.”
“It really won’t be enough to get people to vote against The Corbini,” warned Sir Nicholas.
“They must have really sound reasons to vote Conservative.
“We really need to get on with this. #wherestheboldandbravesofaritsdulldulldull.”
Sir Nicholas’s comments came just days after Mr Boles warned the Prime Minister it was “time to raise your game” and claimed her Government “constantly disappoints”.
The Grantham and Stamford MP tweeted at the weekend: “There is a timidity and lack of ambition about Mrs May’s Government which means it constantly disappoints. Time to raise your game, Prime Minister. #worboys #HousingCrisis #NHSfunding #etcetc”
Asked about the concerns expressed by Mr Boles and Sir Nicholas, Mrs May’s official spokesman said: “If you look at action taken by the Government in recent months, you can see it is getting on with the job of building a stronger economy and a fairer society that works for everyone.”
He cited cuts in stamp duty for first-time buyers, the launch of a 25-year environment plan and an industrial strategy, plans for an energy price cap, the recently published race disparity audit and the injection of money into health, social care and schools.
“Of course, we know there is more to do and the Prime Minister is committed to getting on and delivering.”