Calls for Theresa May to sack chief whip Julian Smith as the one to blame for historic Brexit deal defeat in the Commons
The whip is supposed to ensure majorities and senior Tories say Mr Smith must now carry the can for a series of humiliating losses
FURIOUS Tories are demanding Theresa May sack chief whip Julian Smith – saying the PM’s Commons drubbing is the final straw for the party enforcer.
Senior Tories said the power broker had to carry the can not only for the crushing Brexit deal defeat, but a series of humiliating losses and gaffes over the past year.
The whip is supposed to ensure majorities in crunch votes by keeping MPs on side.
But insiders yesterday claimed his predecessor – Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson – was increasingly being forced to step in to fix relations with party backbenchers and the PM’s Ulster unionist allies in the DUP.
One senior Tory said: “The chief whip has been flying by the seat of his pants for some time and if the scale of last night’s defeat came as a surprise to the PM then he should really be considering his position.”
Another said: “The charge sheet against him is endless – he has misled the PM on votes, smeared MPs, broke Parliamentary convention, and he briefs against his own side.”
One insider accused Mr Smith – branded a ‘bedwetter’ by Brexiteers last year – of “taking his eye off the ball” and shunning his own MPs in evenings around Westminster.
As recently as November Mr Smith said he was “confident” the PM’s deal would get through Parliament – only for her to pull the Commons vote merely weeks later.
His failure to win over Brexit MP was captured by TV cameras allowed to film his team for a fly-on-the-wall documentary.
In July, the whip incensed opposition MPs by admitting to his role in a “pairing” scandal which shattered convention.
Tory chairman Brandon Lewis voted in a crunch debate after agreeing not to so heavily pregnant Lib Dem Jo Swinson she could stay at home.
The Sun revealed Mr Smith had ordered five Tories to break their pairing deals.
A No.10 spokesman last night insisted the PM had “confidence” in the MP.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk