Tory MPs 'spitting nails' over 1922 committee changes

[T_i_B]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8694936.stm

As David Cameron was setting out his programme for coalition government, more than 100 of his backbenchers were voting against his plans to get more influence over a powerful committee of Conservative MPs.

As its name suggests backbenchers on the 1922 Committee have been keeping the Tory leadership informed, and occasionally in check, for many decades. Its chairman presides over the election of the Conservative leader. It has serious clout.

But the prime minister has pushed though changes likely to mean that, from now on, members of the government will have a vote in elections to select the members in charge of the committee. That has left Tory backbenchers suspicious Mr Cameron will try to get his favoured candidates elected, and guarantee himself an easy ride from the 1922 in the future. Some, to quote an unhappy MP, are spitting nails.

Their fury is all the greater because the changes, and the poll to confirm them, were announced without warning at a meeting many thought was called to ask their opinions on the coalition deal.

[tjwmason]

1. In the Tory Party the leader has one job

Which is to get them into power. As soon as that they start to fail at that the response of M.P.s can be vicious. Cameron has only half succeeded, he's got them into power but sharing with the LibDems whom many Tories despise far more than the Labour Party. His position within the party was significantly weakened by not winning the election.