A key ally of Liz Truss has accused fellow Tory MPs of a ‘coup’ against the new Prime Minister after a backbench rebellion over plans to axe the top income tax rate.
The Prime Minister and her chancellor were forced into a humiliating U-turn on Monday and it has caused significant waves at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman accused fellow Tory MPs of a ‘coup’ against Ms Truss. She was backed by Levelling Up secretary Simon Clarke MP.
Liz Truss was told by a senior Tory MP on Tuesday that the next ten days are a “critical period” for her to turn around her trouble-hit premiership.
Former Cabinet minister Grant Shapps issued the warning as Tory MPs were in open revolt, this time to ensure the Prime Minister raises benefits in line with inflation.
Former Transport Secretary Mr Shapps warned that the clock was ticking.
He told Jon Sopel on The News Agents podcast: “There is a limited period of time to turn things around from what’s been, you know, a choppy, difficult start.
“I think these next few days, by definition, is obviously the key moment….
“The next ten days, of course, is a critical period, that goes without saying.”
He added: “It doesn’t mean it’s the end moment, one way or the other, it doesn’t mean that time will stop after ten days. But I think it’s really important, if she’s going to turn it around, this is the time to do it.”
Mr Shapps and fellow ex-Cabinet minister Michael Gove played key roles in forcing the U-turn on the 45p tax rate.
