Pressure builds on David Cameron to return to core Tory values
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Conservative backbenchers increased the pressure on David Cameron to change course and offer a "mainstream" alternative, after the party slumped to a humiliating third place in the Eastleigh by-election.
The Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson told The Independent on Sunday: "The pressure is now on David Cameron and George Osborne to outline a strong mainstream Conservative message, and no more gesture politics aimed at people who will never vote for us."
The Tory backbencher Colonel Bob Stewart said there was dismay among the rank-and-file about the direction the party was taking. "We have failed to get policies that appeal. We have upset many of our key supporters by the stupidity and the irrelevance of the Equal Marriage Act," he said. "This is a wake-up call to the Conservative Party."
The Tory backbencher Bernard Jenkin dismissed the suggestion that Mr Cameron could face a serious leadership challenge. "What this by-election shows is there is no great pile of voters in the middle to be harvested cynically by politicians. People are looking for politicians to tell the truth," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments