BRITISH PRIME minister David Cameron last night provoked fury among his MPs following a move to curb the powers of a backbench committee that frequently caused major problems for Tory prime minister John Major.
Speaking to the 1922 committee at an unscheduled meeting, Mr Cameron said the committee should represent all strands of the parliamentary party, including those serving in government.
MPs entering the meeting had believed Mr Cameron had come to offer some concessions to them about his demand for a 55 per cent vote of parliament to dissolve the Commons – a key element of his deal with Liberal Democrat leader, Mr Nick Clegg.
MPs began to vote on the proposal last night and again this morning, but there were clear signs of fury last night from Tory backbenchers, who already believe Mr Cameron takes too little notice of them.
The committee, which was, ironically, set up when the Conservatives were last in coalition with the Liberals, is to elect its new chairman next Thursday.
It is expected to be a contest between Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway – the current vice-chairman – and Altrincham and Sale West MP Graham Brady, who quit the front bench in 2007 over the leadership’s grammar schools policies.
Meanwhile, former Cabinet minister Ed Balls became the latest entrant into the race for the Labour Party leadership. He will be followed today by former health secretary Andy Burnham.
Left-winger John McDonnell, who has complained about the arrangements for the race put in place by Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), has also decided to take part, along with brothers David and Ed Miliband.
However, the NEC is expected to reconsider its decision this week to close nominations for the race next week, even though the new leader will not be elected until September.
