Cameron faces right-wing demands
By Ian Dunt
David Cameron is fighting off pressure from the right wing of his party as the Tories become more and more jittery about the terms of a deal with the Lib Dems.
Graham Brady, widely predicted to become chairman of the influential 1992 Committee, demanded the Conservatives go it alone in a minority government.
“My inclination is more towards seeking to operate as a minority government bringing in the support of others where it exists and where there is a consensus that can created,” he told the BBC’s Politics Show.
“I think that is probably, generally, the mood of colleagues. But we, I think, do need to see a far more inclusive approach inevitably in these circumstances. I think if you don’t have an overall majority you need to make sure you take people with you.”
The pressure comes ahead of a meeting of the 1992 Committee this afternoon.
There are also demands for Iain Duncan Smith to be given a prominent Cabinet position and other right-wingers to be given key ministerial briefs, in a bid to level the playing field with the Lib Dems.
The comments come after weekend reports suggested Lord Ashcroft, deputy chairman and a major donor to the party, was displeased with the way the Tory election campaign had been conducted.
Many candidates found the Tory high command’s ‘big society’ theme impossible to sell on the doorstep.
The Tories and Lib Dems are now in their third day of talks.
