Tory party rift over choice of new chief executive
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Your support makes all the difference.Iain Duncan Smith faced growing dissent last night over his appointment of a right-wing ally as Tory chief executive.
Members of the party's board are incensed that the Tory leader bypassed them in giving the job to Barry Legg after the departure of Mark MacGregor, a moderniser.
Aides also strenuously denied claims that Theresa May faces the sack as Tory chairman in a forthcoming reshuffle of the Shadow Cabinet.
The Conservative Party board is believed to be meeting today to discuss Mr Legg's appointment. A Central Office spokesman insisted no meeting of the board was being arranged but said Mrs May would be holding "one-to-one chats" with members of the board over the next few days on a "range of subjects".
Although the board does not have the power to rescind the job offer, its members' anger is a further sign of rifts in the party. One official admitted Mr Legg's selection had caused "turmoil" at Central Office. A senior Tory MP said: "The party is in meltdown over this. The view is that Barry Legg is completely the wrong appointment ... proof of the bunker mentality in IDS's office."
A Tory spokesman said yesterday that the choice of chief executive was a matter for the leader. He dismissed as "absolute nonsense" reports that Mrs May would be demoted after being frozen out of the decision to appoint Mr Legg, the former MP for Milton Keynes South West, saying she was fully involved in the appointment.
Mrs May infuriated traditionalists last year by warning that Tories were seen "as the nasty party" and saying it had to extend its appeal. The Tories' problems were underlined by an opinion poll yesterday, showing the party with 31 per cent support, well behind Labour on 39 per cent.
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