New Tory deputy chairman James Cleverly (file) has warned Theresa May’s ex-chief of staff to ‘shut the f*** up’ after he masterminded the election disaster
The new Tory deputy chairman has warned Theresa May’s ex-chief of staff to ‘shut the f*** up’ after he masterminded the election disaster.
James Cleverly said a ‘period of silent contemplation’ from Nick Timothy would be welcome.
Mr Timothy, who was joint staff of with Fiona Hill and ran Mrs May’s catastrophic campaign last year, lost his job after throwing away the Tory majority last June.
Since then he has become a columnist and pundit on the future of the Tories – intervening as recently as this week to advocate spending on the NHS and defence.
Mr Cleverly lashed out when he was asked about the former aide on comedian Matt Forde’s Political Party podcast.
He said: ‘Sometimes the best thing you should do in politics is shut the f*** up.’
Cleverly went on: ‘Sometimes you just need to shut up and get on with the day job.
‘He’s a really clever guy but he didn’t do us any great favours in the General Election.’
He added that ‘a period of silent contemplation’ would be welcomed by many.
Critics have suggested Mr Timothy retains influence over Mrs May, for whom he worked for many years alongside Ms Hill, who was co-chief of staff.
The duo were condemned across Tory ranks after steering the PM to calamity at last June’s snap election, losing the Government majority after conceding a 20-point lead.
Mr Timothy spoke out on Tuesday at a Resolution Foundation event to discuss the future of Conservatism.
Theresa May’s ex-chief of staff Nick Timothy (pictured with former colleague Fiona Hill after the pair were fired last year) called on the Government to splash cash on the NHS and defence to head off defeat to Jeremy Corbyn
He said: ‘It feels increasingly clear that the country is tired of austerity and the public services are starting to feel the strain a little bit.
‘While the NHS needs reform it also needs more money and I don’t think many people think the defence budget is sustainable.
‘There’s quite a strong argument that fiscal policy needs to change.’
In an apparent swipe at Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, Mr Timothy claimed a renewed Tory focus on green policies could damage the party.
Mr Gove has become among the most active ministers, announcing a raft of policies such as a crackdown on single use plastic in a bid rehabilitate the Tory image.
The Conservative manifesto’s backing for a new vote on fox hunting was seen by some as a major issue that drove voters away.
But despite the rebrand, Mr Timothy said: ‘I think alighting on the environment is a slightly strange thing to do and reflects some kind of strategic confusion.’
Critics have suggested Mr Timothy retains influence over Mrs May (pictured in China today with husband Philip and President Xi Jinping), for whom he worked for many years alongside Ms Hill, who was co-chief of staff.