Theresa May will speak at the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO) inauguration.
Priti Patel will accuse Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of “managed decline” of the Conservative Party in a speech today.
Former Home Secretary Theresa May will be one of the keynote speakers at the inauguration of the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO).
The new group, founded by supporters of Boris Johnson, seeks to empower party members and criticizes the manner in which Mr. Sunak was appointed leader, calling it “undemocratic” and a “coronation.”
After a year with three prime ministers, the Tories lost almost 1,000 councillors in local elections last Thursday.
After Liz Truss’ 45-day leadership, Mr. Sunak took over in October.
At the 2024 general election, the Labour Party is expected to win the most Westminster seats without a majority.
Ms. Patel, who is also a loyalist of Johnson, will inform CDO members on Saturday that Mr. Sunak must provide more “hope and optimism” for the Conservatism or risk being responsible for the “managed decline” of the party and defeat in the general election of the following year.
She will reportedly criticize “those in power and control in our party” who “rarely seem to be out meeting people” and emphasize the “backbone” of the party, the grassroots.
Calling for party reform and a possible return of Johnson
500 people are expected at the CDO’s February premiere, where key positions will be awarded and the party’s constitution contested.
It campaigned earlier this year for constituency associations to be able to select their parliamentary candidate and deselect their MP.
It also desires that the chairman of the Conservative Party be directly elected by party members.
Former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg and former prime minister Boris Johnson may endorse Ms. Patel.
The unveiling will not go unnoticed by Tory legislators who are still reeling from local election defeats.
They continue to disagree on crucial issues such as tax cuts, defense expenditure, and party growth strategies.
And party discipline risks deteriorating further if the CDO intensifies pressure on MPs to amend the party’s constitution.
Lord Greenhalgh, vice president of the CDO, tweeted that the momentum behind Boris Johnson’s revival is “unstoppable.” Which raises concerns that the government is eager to restore Johnson as prime minister.
“It is time to restore the democratic rights of Tory members, including the right to select parliamentary candidates without interference from party headquarters,” he continued.
