Theresa May to tear up Conservative manifesto plans for grammar schools, changes to pensions and the fox-hunting ban – as she faces angry MPs later today
THERESA MAY is to be forced to rip up her manifesto and bin key policies in order to stay in No 10 - as she prepares to face angry MPs later today.
Senior Tories expect the PM's flagship policy on grammar schools to get the chop as the minority Government is forced to concentrate on more pressing issues.
And a number of other manifesto promises are also under threat - such as plans to scrap the triple lock on pensions, means-test the winter fuel allowance, and having another vote on repealing the foxhunting ban.
Next week's Queen's Speech is expected to be a slimmed down affair, focusing on vital issues of Brexit and security - after the full impact of her losses in the election becomes clear.
Last night the PM said in a statement that she also wanted to focus on legislation on mental health and education, but controversial policies like changes to social care are expected to be heavily watered down.
On Saturday Mrs May's two chiefs of staff, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, were forced to resign because of their part in the campaign - which saw the Tories lost 17 seats.
And David Davis confirmed this morning that the manifesto was likely to be "pruned".
He said the social care policy was "a mistake" and "the campaign went wrong".
The PM will face her angry MPs later today in a meeting of the 1922 Committee - when she will face tough questions on her future as party leader.
MP Graham Brady, who is a fan of grammars, said the best the party can hope for is a scaled-back pilot scheme in inner cities.
He accepted Mrs May needed to “concentrate on the things that really have to be done”.
Mr Brady said: “There’s no point in sailing ahead with items that were in the manifesto which we won’t get through Parliament.
"We’re going to have to work carefully.
“I’ve no doubt it will be a slimmed-down Queen’s Speech.”
MOST READ IN POLITICS
Mrs May is also under pressure to please the DUP - as the Conservatives seek to secure a deal with them to ensure they have a Commons majority.
The Northern Irish party want more money from Westminster and for the Government to keep the pensions triple lock, in exchange for support.
Downing Street confirmed the PM would host DUP chief Arlene Foster in London tomorrow – after mistakenly claiming late on Saturday night that an outline electoral pact had already been agreed.
Sources claimed that a DUP negotiating document contained a list of demands - from splashing cash on hospitals to ruling out an Irish referendum on reunification.
And The Telegraph reported DUP sources to be unhappy with the social care policy.
Mrs May was humiliatingly forced to water down one election pledge within days of the manifesto launch last month.
She announced the elderly would have to pay for care but originally set no cap on how much.
The ensuing uproar led to a U-turn which was seized on by opponents.
Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn said he will present an alternative Queen’s Speech.