Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle got off to a chaotic start as the Tories bungled the announcement of their new party chairman.
Patrick McLoughlin has left the role he has held since July 2016, however, there was confusion over who would replace him after the Conservatives hastily deleted a tweet announcing Transport Secretary Chris Grayling would take the position.
Brandon Lewis, the Immigration Minister, has been officially announced as the new chairman.
Braintree MP James Cleverly has been appointed deputy chairman, No 10 also confirmed.
First Tories announce Chris Grayling as chair of the party, now it appears to be Brandon Lewis? I wonder who next for party chair? I thought we were at the end of pantomime season? ?#cabinetreshuffle #ToryMess2018 pic.twitter.com/6eCTmfiDf5
January 8, 2018
Iain Carter, CCHQ’s political director, is reportedly be behind the error. It is believed he saw a tweet by the BBC’s Norman Smith discussing Grayling’s potential move on the television.
I’m told CCHQ operative Iain Carter send all Tory MPs whatsapp group that Chris Grayling was to be party chairman – then deleted it and apologised. He is probably behind the tweet too
January 8, 2018
Apparent sequence of events 1. Some cab mins thought Grayling to CCHQ & hacks tipped off. 2. Hacks tweeted but CCHQ not told either way. 3. CCHQ operative assume reports correct and tweets and WhatsApps announcement. 4. Complaints pour into No10. 5. Tweet deleted, ferret reversed
January 8, 2018
In the most appropriate possible metaphor for the party’s failure to grasp 21st-century campaigning, the Conservative website is down, apparently because they’ve failed to upgrade to HTTPS pic.twitter.com/iSHNST91lS
January 8, 2018
OH FFS WHAT ARE THEY DOING? They let their bloody certificate lapse. Amateur hour. https://t.co/6W7YI52f02
Separately, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire has resigned due to ill health. Her long-time ally is to undergo surgery for a lung lesion.
The shake-up at CCHQ comes as the Prime Minister aims to shake-up party structures and broaden the Tories’ appeal.
McLoughlin was appointed by May in 2016 and was tasked with winning over northern working class voters.
But in the wake of the Tories losing their majority at the General Election and a disastrous security breach at the party’s conference, many regarded McLoughlin’s exit inevitable.
It comes after membership of the Conservative Party fell to around 70,000 on McLoughlin’s watch. It had been around 250,000 when David Cameron took the reins in 2005.
Labour’s membership, meanwhile, has swelled to around 570,000 as the affiliated group Momentum became a huge success and Jeremy Corbyn rose to become leader.
It is expected that May will install a number of new MPs to serve alongside him in vice-chairman roles.
McLoughlin, the MP for the Derbyshire Dales, has been a minister as far back as the Thatcher government.