Challenge to Cameron’s authority over ‘purple plotters’

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Earlier this week we covered the revelations that senior Tories have discussed the possibility of an “informal pact” with the Lib Dems at the next general election. Today has seen the most significant challenge to Cameron’s authority over the plans. The Mail on Sunday reports Tory backbencher Mark Pritchard as saying:

“It should be remembered that the future of our country and party is more important than any one person who happens to reside in No 10.”

‘I was told that this nonsense about joining with the Lib Dems would stop, but it hasn’t. I am not prepared to have unnamed Cabinet Ministers putting about stories of pacts and mergers while party traditionalists like me are gagged.”

“The vast majority of Conservative members believe in retaining the traditions of the Tory Party. This debate must be held in the open.”

Pritchard is the secretary of the influential 1922 committee, and it’s likely that he speaks for many other traditional Tories who see the liberal, big society conservatism of Cameron and Steve Hilton as something of an aberration.

The anger on the Tory right is building, and it’s increasingly out in the open.