Downing Street will not attempt to overthrow Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 committee who served under three Tory prime ministers, according to two high-ranking Tory sources.
This is an acceptance of the strength of Sir Graham’s position. Attempts to replace him with a candidate favored by the government last year failed.
But Downing Street has already been warned to interfere in any way with the 1922 committee election, which is expected to take place on one of the first three Wednesdays in July.
“Stupid” plan
A high-ranking source from 1922 said: “Given the vote of confidence and everything that happened, it would be very risky to start interfering in the process. It would be very foolish to interfere in the backbench processes. “
A second source in 1922 said it would be “unreasonable” for the whips to push a group of loyalists, as they would soon be branded as “puppets”, adding: “The backbenchers don’t like puppet candidates.”
Attempts are already being made to counter any interference. Torrey, who wants Mr Johnson removed, said: “The non-Boris clique group ensures that everyone is aware of who the independents are and who the government puppets are.
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