The 17 Tories who could bring down the PM

The 17 Tories who could bring down the PM: Cabal of anti-No Deal campaigners that No.10 fears could turf Boris Johnson out of office in knife-edge no confidence vote within weeks

  • The Prime Minister’s allies last night launched a bid to ‘smoke out’ mutineers 
  • Chancellor Philip Hammond, veteran Europhile Ken Clarke are among the rebels 
  • The whips hope a handful of ex-Labour and Tory MPs will back Boris Johnson

They are the Tory MPs with the power of life or death over Boris Johnson’s premiership – a cabal of anti-No Deal Brexit campaigners that No 10 fears could turf him from office.

The Prime Minister’s allies last night launched a bid to ‘smoke out’ the would-be mutineers and stop them backing a no confidence vote in the PM. 

The list, compiled by Johnson loyalists, reveals 17 potential rebels, including ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond, veteran Europhile Ken Clarke and Brexit critic Dominic Grieve.

Tory whips fear that if just seven back a no confidence vote and ten abstain, it would be enough to see the Prime Minister lose. 

However, the whips hope a handful of ex-Labour and Tory MPs – now Independents – will back the PM. One loyalist said: ‘Unless anti-Brexit colleagues see sense, this will be on a knife edge.’

Last night, some of the ‘rebels’ – including ex-Justice Secretary David Gauke – insisted they would not back a no-confidence motion. 

Dominic Grieve (left) is the MP for Beaconsfield where he holds a majority of 24,543. The constituency voted Remain by 51% to 49%. He is an arch-Remainer and rebel now saying he would be prepared to head national anti-No Deal unity government. Guto Bebb (middle) is the MP for Aberconwy where he holds a majority of 635. The constituency voted Leave by 52.2% to 47.8%. He says ‘short term’ Corbyn government is less damaging than generational damage of No Deal Brexit. Phillip Lee (right) is the MP for Bracknell where he holds a majority of 16,016. The constituency voted to leave by 53.2% to 46.8%. He is one of ten Tory MPs who voted with Labour in a failed bit to block a No Deal Brexit in June

Rory Stewart (left) is the MP for Penrith and Border where he holds a majority of 15,910. The constituency voted Leave by 55.2% to 44.8%. He vowed to help plan an 'alternative parliament to stop No Deal if Parliament was prorogued. David Lidington (middle) is the MP for Aylesbury where he holds a majority of 14,696. The constituency voted Leave by 51.8% to 48.2%. The ex-deputy to Theresa May is one of 20 Tories who raised fears Mr Johnson would not reach a deal. Richard Harrington (right) is the MP for Watford where he holds a majority of 2,092. The constituency voted Leave by 51.2% to 48.8%. He has said no to Corbyn and won't be drawn on wider no confidence vote

Rory Stewart (left) is the MP for Penrith and Border where he holds a majority of 15,910. The constituency voted Leave by 55.2% to 44.8%. He vowed to help plan an ‘alternative parliament to stop No Deal if Parliament was prorogued. David Lidington (middle) is the MP for Aylesbury where he holds a majority of 14,696. The constituency voted Leave by 51.8% to 48.2%. The ex-deputy to Theresa May is one of 20 Tories who raised fears Mr Johnson would not reach a deal. Richard Harrington (right) is the MP for Watford where he holds a majority of 2,092. The constituency voted Leave by 51.2% to 48.8%. He has said no to Corbyn and won’t be drawn on wider no confidence vote

Antoinette Sandbach (left) is the MP for Eddisbury where she holds a majority of 11,942. The constituency voted Leave by 52.2% to 47.8%. She says her decision on no confidence vote 'will be made at the time'. Stephen Hammond (middle) is the MP for Wimbledon where he holds a majority of 5,622. The constituency voted Remain by 70.6% to 29.4%. He says 'you must put interest of country before yourself. Jeremy Lefroy (right) is the MP for Stafford where he holds a majority of 7,729. The constituency voted Leave by 57.5% to 42.5%. He is a Remainer who says he had death threats over his Brexit Stance. he is due to stand down at the next election

Antoinette Sandbach (left) is the MP for Eddisbury where she holds a majority of 11,942. The constituency voted Leave by 52.2% to 47.8%. She says her decision on no confidence vote ‘will be made at the time’. Stephen Hammond (middle) is the MP for Wimbledon where he holds a majority of 5,622. The constituency voted Remain by 70.6% to 29.4%. He says ‘you must put interest of country before yourself. Jeremy Lefroy (right) is the MP for Stafford where he holds a majority of 7,729. The constituency voted Leave by 57.5% to 42.5%. He is a Remainer who says he had death threats over his Brexit Stance. he is due to stand down at the next election

Alan Duncan (left) is the MP for Rutland and Melton where he holds a majority of 23,104. The constituency voted Leave by 53.9% to 46.1%. He is an arch-for of Boris Johnson who tried to table a no confidence vote before he became leader. Margot James (middle) is the MP for Stourbridge where she holds a majority of 7,654. The constituency voted Leave by 63.7% to 36.3%. She resigned as a Minister in July to vote against the government on the possibility of proroguing Parliament. Jonathan Djangoly (right) is the MP for Huntingdon where he holds a majority of 14,475. The constituency voted to leave by 53.5% to 46.5%.He voted with Labour in June's failed bid to block No Deal Brexit

Alan Duncan (left) is the MP for Rutland and Melton where he holds a majority of 23,104. The constituency voted Leave by 53.9% to 46.1%. He is an arch-for of Boris Johnson who tried to table a no confidence vote before he became leader. Margot James (middle) is the MP for Stourbridge where she holds a majority of 7,654. The constituency voted Leave by 63.7% to 36.3%. She resigned as a Minister in July to vote against the government on the possibility of proroguing Parliament. Jonathan Djangoly (right) is the MP for Huntingdon where he holds a majority of 14,475. The constituency voted to leave by 53.5% to 46.5%.He voted with Labour in June’s failed bid to block No Deal Brexit

Paul Masterton (left) is the MP for East Renfrewshire where he holds a majority of 4,712. The constituency voted Remain by 74.3% to 25.7%. He resigned in march as ministerial aide after defying Government in a vote to take No Deal off the table. Oliver Letwin (middle) is the MP for West Dorset where he holds a majority of 19,091. The constituency voted Leave by 51% to 49%. He ruled out assisting Corbyn, but only said he was 'not very inclined' to helping defeat Government. David Gauke (right) is the MP for SW Hertfordshire where he holds a majority of 19,550. The constituency voted Remain by 53.8% to 46.2%. Given his name to the 'Gaukeward' Tory rebels determined to block No Deal

Paul Masterton (left) is the MP for East Renfrewshire where he holds a majority of 4,712. The constituency voted Remain by 74.3% to 25.7%. He resigned in march as ministerial aide after defying Government in a vote to take No Deal off the table. Oliver Letwin (middle) is the MP for West Dorset where he holds a majority of 19,091. The constituency voted Leave by 51% to 49%. He ruled out assisting Corbyn, but only said he was ‘not very inclined’ to helping defeat Government. David Gauke (right) is the MP for SW Hertfordshire where he holds a majority of 19,550. The constituency voted Remain by 53.8% to 46.2%. Given his name to the ‘Gaukeward’ Tory rebels determined to block No Deal

Philip Hammond

Ken Clarke

Philip Hammond (left) is the MP for Runnymede and Weybridge where he holds a majority of 18,050. The constituency voted Remain by 50.2% to 49.8%. He is the ex-Chancellor who told Mr Johnson he was setting ‘the bar so high there is no realistic probability of a deal being done’. Ken Clarke (right) is the MP for Rushcliffe where he has a majority of 8,010. The constituency voted to Remain by 58.5% to 41.5%. He is a Europhile ready to lead an emergency government but judged too old at 79 by critics to do it

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk