A Left-leaning Conservative group has been accused of plotting to install a “wet, woke” MP as next Tory leader, GB News can reveal.
The Tory Reform Group (TRG), who represents the Left-leaning, socially liberal “One Nation” faction of Conservative MPs, are planning a meeting on July 16 to “get together after the election campaign, share stories and celebrate with one another the election of a strong cohort of One Nation Conservative MPs, both returning and new”, according to a private invitation to Tory members.
The invitation to the TRG’s summer party, seen by GB News, sparked speculation from those on the Right of the Conservative Party that the group are organising ahead of the upcoming Tory leadership election.
A Conservative Brexiteer source told GB News: “The TRG are planning to take over the party with yet another wet, woke ‘One Nation’ MP.”
One Nation Tory MP James Cleverly
PA
“We just got annihilated after their faction dominated the party for the last 14 years.
“Rishi was one of a long list of liberal Tories who opened Britain’s borders, kept us close with the EU, spent record amounts on welfare and the NHS and supported wokeism.
“They are plotting how to maintain control of the party despite being responsible for this epic loss.
“The TRG needs to be booted out and host their summer party with the Liberal Democrats instead.”
Nigel Farage won four million votes for his Reform Party
PA
On Thursday, the Conservative Party lost 251 seats in a historic loss, while Nigel Farage’s Reform Party gained four seats in a major breakthrough for the populist leader.
Reform won 14 per cent of the vote, representing four million voters.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives won 24 per cent of the vote, gaining 6.8 million votes.
Jack Montgomery, a journalist at the National Pulse, said: “It’s typical of the Conservatives that their response to a historic election disaster is to lurch further to the Left.
“They look at Sunak’s broken promises on cutting immigration and stopping the boats and think making those promises turned voters off, rather than his failure to keep them.
“Instead of becoming more like Reform to earn back their lost Brexit and 2019 voters, they think the answer to this disaster is becoming more like the Lib Dems. But why would anyone who finds the Lib Dems appealing vote for a Tory wet pretending to be a Lib Dem instead of the real thing?”
Connor Tomlinson, a commentator from the Lotus Eaters, concurred, saying: “If the Conservatives want to avoid being rendered obsolete, they should elect a leader who is willing to make the policy and personnel changes necessary to reduce immigration; and who are willing to work with Reform’s five MPs in Parliament.”
The TRG’s summer meeting will feature a “guest speaker” which is yet to be confirmed.
Broadcaster and commentator Anna McGovern told GB News: “If the speculation is true, I would caution the TRG to tread very carefully.
“The Conservative Party has just experienced a devastating loss after 14 years in power, clearly indicating that voters are demanding a change in regime.
“The Tories must use their time in opposition to redefine their identity and core values.
“They need to address how they plan to support the people they repeatedly let down while in power.
“Promises were broken time and time again, and the people have had enough.”
She continued: “As a former Conservative supporter, I lost faith in the party due to the persistent lies peddled to us despite our trust in endorsing them.”
“It’s time for something radically different; that is how they can win the trust of the people back.”
Several leading One Nation Conservative MPs lost their seats on Thursday, including Robert Buckland, Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt and Gillian Keegan.
Meanwhile, those who are seen as being on the Right of the party, including Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch held onto their seats.
These three politicians are expected to launch leadership bids of their own.
However, some One Nation Tories survived Thursday’s bloodbath, including James Cleverly and Alicia Kearns.
Jacob Rees Mogg and Miriam Kates, two leading Right-wing Conservatives, lost their seats.
Charlie Downes, an anti-migration campaigner and journalist, said: “The best thing that the Conservative Party could do for Britain in the wake of their crushing electoral defeat is to elect yet another One Nation liberal as leader.
“With an openly left-wing party now in government, and an insurgent Reform UK making spectacular gains, this will force the public to ask what the point of the Conservative Party is, and will hopefully accelerate their long-overdue demise.”
GB News approached the TRG for comment.
