Theresa May's Government at risk of collapse within two years, warns Lord Heseltine
'This is a deeply divided country and singling out one part of it in order to give a semblance of short term stability is just one more of the prices we're paying for the consequences of Brexit'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May's Government is at risk of collapse within two years, the Tory former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine has said.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4's World At One after the Tories secured a deal with the DUP to prop up the Government, Lord Heseltine said: "I'm reminded of Enoch Powell's phrase: 'Once you have paid the Danegeld, you never get rid of the Dane.'
"This is not a long term solution because even adding the DUP votes to the Tory votes there is still the risk of lost by-elections eroding the majority."
When he was asked about Theresa May's claim the deal with the DUP would provide "certainty" during Brexit negotiations, the former deputy to John Major said she was wrong.
"Yes, that’s what she does say. And of course it’s completely devoid of reality, because there is no such unity on this issue.
"There is a deeply divided country and every day, either within the cabinet, within the leaders of the industrial world, within the academic world, more and more people realise the consequences [of Brexit]."
The 84-year-old added: "This is a deeply divided country and singling out one part of it in order to give a semblance of short term stability is just one more of the prices we're paying for the consequences of Brexit.
"I think it will take two years, 18 months, for the Government to be at risk, and that's assuming they can command the loyalty in the Brexit confrontations of every Conservative MP. That is by no means certain."
Lord Heseltine previously warned the electoral base is dying off at a rate of 2 per cent per year and called for a new party leader.
He said the party needs to work hard to “restore its electoral fortunes” and that Ms May should step down after a “matter of months”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments