Michael Gove ignited the first rebellion against Liz Truss last week, and fanned the flames of others. Now, as MPs return to Parliament, the prime minister must win back a fractious and conflicted party if she is to retain power.
At the Conservative Party Conference, Michael Gove toured fringe events and studios.
And he loudly criticised key parts of Liz Truss’ debut fiscal plan as prime minister.
“I think there are two specific concerns that I have about the unfunded nature of tax cuts and about the 45p tax cut which we now have an opportunity to reflect on… if a mistake has been made, then I think the right thing to do is to acknowledge that and to correct course.”
Michael Gove
From attacking the abolition of the 45p tax rate to raising benefits in line with inflation, the former Cabinet minister was, some colleagues felt, being a more effective leader of the opposition than Keir Starmer.
His interventions led to a barrage of criticism, prompting a chaotic conference characterised by infighting, which forced the government into an embarrassing U-turn.
Home secretary Suella Braverman indirectly blamed Michael Gove for launching a “coup”. He was also the subject of a hostile briefing to the Telegraph, described by one insider as a “snake”. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg put his thoughts on the record.
“No no no, Michael is one of the cleverest men in politics, very amiable figure who loves the art of politics. He’s the sort of Tory party’s version of Peter Mandelson and I’ve always rather thought Peter Mandelson was a good and intriguing part of public life.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg
Over the weekend, those attacks continued, with an extraordinary broadside in the Sunday Times suggesting Michael Gove had a “darkness inside him” which “corrupts his soul”.
But while he’s deemed by many Tories to be the most capable operator they’ve got, as the dust settled there was a sense that he’d “overplayed his hand”.
So with seemingly little prospect of him leading an uprising against Liz Truss, who will?
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As MPs return to parliament Liz Truss is planning to ‘love bomb’ her party in an attempt to win over her fractious MPs.
But the prime minister will have to keep tabs on multiple rebel leaders who command competing and contradictory groups, all of whom could start their own little fire that threatens to engulf her government.
Here are the ones to look out for.
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Ministers who were sacked by Liz Truss because they backed her leadership rival Rishi Sunak are said to be waiting for the opportunity to cause some trouble. Some, like Grant Shapps, already have.
“I think if you’re honest, the next 10 days is a critical period of time. She’s got the conference speech to make after a very difficult few days, she’s got the MPs coming back together again for the first time since things became choppy, of course I mean it would be ludicrous to say anything else… but is it possible, yes of course it’s possible and I’m cheering her on to do it.”
Grant Shapps speaking on News Agents
Liz Truss gave jobs to loyalists and newbies, which has left some MPs feeling overlooked and aggrieved. Those who believe their ministerial careers are over, or not likely to ever get going, will be all but impossible to whip into line.
Grant Shapps, a former Cabinet minister who famously organised an early rebellion against Theresa May, was back to his old tricks during party conference.
According to the Sunday Times, the ex-transport secretary has a shiny new smartphone on which he has compiled a spreadsheet with 6,000 data points detailing the views of his colleagues.
But while viewed as a skilled communicator and organiser, his role selling get rich quick schemes in a former life puts him out of contention to lead the coup. So who else could?
“So you know I’ve seen some of the comments by Nadine. I don’t understand some of them and some of them I don’t agree with.”
Jake Berry speaking on LBC
Nadine Dorries might have been one of Liz Truss’ earliest and most vocal supporters but she’s quickly turned into one of her biggest critics.
The former culture secretary makes no bones about her anger and disappointment that Boris Johnson was forced out of office, and she’s not the only one who’d like to see him make a comeback.
The former prime minister is said to be less than keen on another leadership contest. But there is speculation that, unsurprisingly, he would be willing to enjoy a coronation. And it’s the threat of Boris Johnson two point zero, which unites the next faction of Conservative MPs.
[Clip: crowd singing bye bye Boris]
This group, ironically, may end up being Liz Truss’ salvation. Moderate Conservatives who are further to the left than some of their colleagues fear that Boris Johnson may return, so they would be willing to put up with (almost) anything to avoid that happening.
But only up to a point.
Planning reforms are likely to go down like a cup of cold sick with the likes of Theresa May and others representing traditional Conservative areas in the south of England.
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“I have three priorities for our economy… growth, growth and growth.”
Lizz Truss speaking at the Conservative party conference
That was the core message of Liz Truss’ conference speech.
In reality it means doing things like getting rid of the cap on banker’s bonuses and relaxing immigration rules, which might play well in traditional Tory seats, but are unlikely to inspire those who wanted to get Brexit done.
Thanks to lockdowns and a fair few firebrands, Conservatives elected in 2019 are particularly difficult to tame. Many won in places that were traditionally seen as Labour strongholds and have Boris Johnson to thank for that. They don’t owe Liz Truss anything.
“Borrowing your way out of inflation isn’t a plan, it’s a fairytale.”
Rishi Sunak speaking at a leadership election TV debate
The former chancellor spent the summer arguing Trussonomics would spook the market and push interest rates up.
Rishi Sunak didn’t attend the party conference, but speculation is rife that his allies and outriders “lobbed some of the grenades” that derailed it. If the economy gets any worse, the detonations could get bigger.
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Most Conservative MPs don’t want an early general election, so while deeply unhappy with the direction of the government, they’d rather not get rid of a third prime minister in just over three years.
So it’s every man and woman for themself.
With an election expected in 2024, backbenchers may abstain or oppose key votes, particularly if that might help them get re-elected.
Some Conservatives are even said to have considered joining Labour.
If the situation deteriorates, Tories may once again find themselves writing letters declaring no confidence in their leader.
The little fires could still become an inferno.
This episode was written by Tortoise’s political editor, Cat Neilan. It was mixed by Imy Harper.
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