'Cuts have gone far enough': Theresa May told to end austerity by senior Conservative on eve of party conference

Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor, says: 'It is right to say that the cuts have gone far enough. It’s not reasonable to expect that this continues'

The biggest star in Conservative local government has embarrassed Theresa May on the eve of her party conference, by demanding an end to austerity.

Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor, sided with council leaders, head teachers and the police, by declaring “The cuts have gone far enough”.

The mayor also raised the prospect of the Tories forcing Ms May out of Downing Street after Brexit day next March, saying, of her chances of survival: “I think it is too soon to say.”

The comments, in an interview with the Birmingham Mail, come just days before Conservatives gather in Birmingham for what could be a make-or-break conference on 30 September.

They will be greeted with delight by Labour, after Jeremy Corbyn’s party made the pain for public services caused by continuing spending cuts a centrepiece of its conference week.

In past years, Ms May and other senior Tories have – when visiting Birmingham – lauded Mr Street, a winner over Labour last year, as a symbol of their successful fightback in local government.

But, in the interview, Mr Street echoed Labour council and police leaders by saying: “It is right to say that the cuts have gone far enough. It’s not reasonable to expect that this continues.”

Mr Street joins other Conservatives who have been clamouring for an end to austerity, with growing warnings that prisons, housing and public health are also facing further cuts.

On Friday, around 1,000 head teachers from across England will march on Westminster, before handing in a protest letter at the Treasury to highlight a crisis in schools.

Although the prime minister announced an extra £20bn a year for the NHS by 2023-24 – without saying how it will be funded – the chancellor, in March, rejected the calls for a change of course.

Next month, Philip Hammond will announce the spending totals for the next three years, but his growth forecasts remain low and he has warned of more cuts if there is a no-deal Brexit.

Mr Street backed the prime minister’s Chequers proposals as still the best route through the Brexit logjam – but admitted she, personally, only had his support “at the moment”.

Asked if Ms May should stand down once Brexit takes place, he replied: “I think it is too soon to say. If the Prime Minister pulls off a good deal, if the party unites behind it, it will move on to implementing that deal.”

On the post-Brexit challenges, he added: “It is far too soon to judge who should be leading through that.

“At the moment, I’m four-square behind the prime minister as leader of our party.”