Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

William Hague to be brought back into politics as adviser by under-fire Theresa May

Lord Hague is heading to Downing Street for discussions with the Prime Minister

Joe Watts
Political Editor
Sunday 25 June 2017 09:12 BST
Comments
Lord Hague is going to Downing Street for talks with the Prime Minister
Lord Hague is going to Downing Street for talks with the Prime Minister (Getty Images)

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.

Theresa May is calling upon ex-Tory leader William Hague for advice as she seeks to shore up her faltering administration.

The Prime Minister will have a meeting with the former foreign secretary as she responds to calls from within her own party to listen to a wider group of people.

After Ms May lost the election ministers and MPs all demanded she change the way she ruled and in particular expand her circle of advisers.

A Downing Street source told The Independent that there would not be a formal role for Lord Hague, but confirmed the Tory big-hitter would be going for discussions at Number 10.

Lord Hague was Tory leader from 1997, coming in weeks after Tony Blair’s election landslide, and remaining in post until 2001. He took the party through some of its lowest points, and after leaving the top job gained a reputation as a wise, senior statesman.

His call-up also speaks to the fact that he is popular among local party chairmen, with whom Ms May's standing is now at rock bottom following the botched election.

Using his column in the Telegraph, Lord Hague has backed calls for a cross party commission to form a better approach to Brexit.

Theresa May's popularity has plummeted in the wake of the general election (AFP/Getty)
Theresa May's popularity has plummeted in the wake of the general election (AFP/Getty) (Getty)

When it became clear that Ms May had failed to win a majority, cabinet ministers whose support she needed pointed the finger of blame at her two key advisers Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, both of whom later quit.

But MPs also demanded at meeting of the Conservative party's influential backbench 1922 Committee, that Ms May listen to more voices from within the party about where to take the country next.

Lord Hague later said he had "no plans" to return to government in a formal context.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in