Jacob Rees-Mogg has admitted that the plot to oust Theresa May as Conservative Party leader has failed to materialise. But he also added that MPs are waiting until next month to submit letters of no-confidence.
Rees-Mogg had submitted a letter of no-confidence in May last week, calling on others to follow suit. But reports suggest that the number of confirmed letters were stuck at 26 – much short of the 48 needed to trigger a no-confidence vote.
“There are many people who lack confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership and who have come to the conclusion that the deal or the proposal is very bad,” Rees-Mogg said.
“Really much worse than could have been expected. As its been looked out carefully it’s turned out to be worse than the initial leaks rather than better.Some people don’t want a leadership vote now. They would like it when the meaningful vote comes up and think that is the time to put in letters,” he added.
"Coup is entirely the wrong word, indeed it's a rather silly word."
Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg says he has used "the democratic process… to say we have no confidence in the leader of the Conservative party". pic.twitter.com/iDAPg96RRB
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) November 20, 2018
His comments come as Downing Street confirmed that Theresa May will meet European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Brussels tomorrow.