Theresa May urged to dump ‘insane’ manifesto policies by top Tories after Election disappointment
The PM's social care shake-up, which reportedly went down like a 'bucket of sick' with voters, and plans to bring back fox hunting are in the firing line
THERESA MAY was today urged to splash the cash and dump “insane” manifesto policies like bringing back fox hunting and a social care shake-up from the ‘Queen’s Speech’.
Senior Tories said it was time for the PM to ease off on austerity and even consider scrapping the public sector pay-cap in the wake of last week’s Election disappointment.
And former Tory party chairman Grant Shapps said moves to bring back fox hunting “stands no chance” as Theresa May tries to revive the party’s fortunes in a slimmed down Queen’s Speech.
He added the disastrous social care shake-up – which went down like a “bucket of sick” on the doorstep during the campaign – had to be reviewed.
In a scathing attack Mr Shapps said: “It was absolute insanity to start talking about passing and changing fox hunting laws, what an Earth was that about?
“I thought a mistake had been made, perhaps an off the cuff comment.
“Then I read the manifesto and discovered not only were we planning to allow a free vote, but it was going to be a government bill and on government time.
“This now stands absolutely no chance. It’s a silly idea.”
Mr Shapps said voters may have been happy to stomach some “tough decisions” like ending the Triple Lock on pensions.
But he said the toxic social care plan – where Theresa May originally proposed scrapping a cap on care payments before an unprecedented u-turn – was too much.
He added: “To coin a phrase what the country requires is a period of some stability.”
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The BBC today revealed Gavin Barwell, in the hours before becoming the PM’s new chief of staff, blamed austerity and the anger of Remain voters for his defeat in Croydon Central last week.
The ex-Tory MP said: “There’s a conversation I particularly remember with a teacher who had voted for me in 2010 and 2015.
“She said you know I understand the need for pay freeze for a few years to deal with the deficit but you’re now asking for that to go on potentially for 10 or 11 years and that’s too much.
“That is something Jeremy Corbyn was able to tap into.”
Brexit Secretary David Davis admitted the Tory manifesto would have to be “pruned away” in the Queen’s Speech.
Former Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Letwin today urged Theresa May to introduce a “stripped down” legislative programme centred around Brexit, and “carrying forward” programmes such as apprentices and childcare.