Tory plots to destabilise the David Cameron-Nick Clegg coalition “love in” have begun only days after the new Prime Minister appointed his first Cabinet, Tribune has learned. First off the mark was the Cornerstone Group – known to Tory insiders as the Tombstone Group because its members are prepared to fight to the death for Christian values and right-wing views – headed by Edward Leigh and Christopher Chope. They have met twice in Dining Room A at the House of Commons for roast beef and claret and hope to nearly double their present 35-strong membership to 60 by persuading 25 of the new intake to join.
They are developing a strategy to counter the coalition by building a “fifth column” equivalent to the 57 Liberal Democrats in Parliament. The aim is to draw “blue lines” on policy when Mr Cameron is seen to be conceding too much to Mr Clegg. With some 60 supporters threatening to vote against measures, they could deprive the Prime Minister of his majority. They have one ally in the Cabinet – Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary.
Two other groups, Conservative Way Forward – associated with Tory hardliner John Redwood and set up by the 1992 intake – and the No Turning Back group – supporters of Margaret Thatcher including her former Cabinet colleague Lord Forsyth – are also starting to organise.
Conservatives who support the Cameron-Clegg deal believe that if they can stay in office for five years, they can smother the Lib Dems. As one put it: “If we have time to re-draw the constituencies, we can gobble them up at the next election.”
