Outspoken Sir Edward Leigh caused gasps in the House of Commons for his blunt language during an impassioned speech that also saw him condemn Theresa May’s party for upsetting even more Brexit voters with the “extreme liberal” agenda on changing divorce laws. He said: “Having p*ssed off half our supporters by botching Brexit, why are we now irritating the other half with an extreme liberal social agenda?” He referred to couples having to prove either partner is “at fault” before a divorce is finalised.
His words on Brexit come the same day it was announced Mrs May faces a leadership challenge from the influential 1922 Committee in her a not-so welcome return to the debacle after an 11-day Easter break.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the treasurer of the backbench Tory 1922 Committee, said he expected the group’s executive to vote in the coming days on whether to bring forward the date on which a challenge to Mrs May’s leadership can be mounted by rebel MPs.
Under current rules, a confidence vote cannot be held for 12 months.
The last challenge on was December 12 2018, which Mrs May won by 200 votes to 117.
Reports suggest this grace period could be reduced to six months, allowing a new vote on June 12.
The Cotswolds MP told the BBC: “That’s what the executive will be debating when it meets. They have to decide whether they wish to change the rules or not.
“I suspect quite a robust discussion will take place, because the executive represents all wings of the party. Eventually a motion will be put and that will be voted on.
“I think it will be done by first-past-the-post, and if it succeeds then of course the vote which would otherwise have taken place on December 12 will be brought forward to whatever is agreed in the motion.”
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow could also be ousted after Conservative MP Crispin Blunt tabled a motion of no confidence in him, citing a lack of impartiality over Brexit.
Mr Bercow has infuriated Brexit-backing Tories with decisions including a block on Mrs May repeatedly tabling her withdrawal agreement in the hope of whittling down opposition.
Mr Blunt said that Mr Bercow’s decisions on Brexit had been “wholly partial” and helped contribute to “national paralysis” on the issue.
