by The blame has already begun within the Tories as the party prepares to face what could be the most devastating defeat in its history in just a week.
With seven days to go, polls suggest the Conservative Party is on the brink of collapse with fewer than 100 MPs likely to be elected.
While different factions have been voicing their opinions for months even before the election, senior figures are now breaking ranks to give their judgments even before most voters have cast their votes.
Former cabinet minister Nadine Dorries was the first to come out of the trap, telling the Independent that she blames Michael Gove for the malaise that has set in over the past 14 years and that he is insisting that he will get a seat in the Lords – just like she was. one denied.
She said: “Gove has been in cabinet for longer than any current or former Conservative MP since 2010.
“This general election will be a judgment on Michael Gove and his think tank, Forward and Policy Exchange, more than a verdict on any former prime minister or servants.”
Mr Dorries, the former culture secretary, did not forgive Mr Gove for “betraying” Boris Johnson twice after the 2016 EU referendum and then after Partygate.
But she also believes the policy platforms from the two think tanks close to him are at the heart of Tory’s nightmare and anger at the Sunak government’s “big state, big tax, big regulation approach”.
Ms Dorries said: “Gove has repeatedly kicked democratically elected Prime Ministers in the back – Boris in 2016 and 22, and Liz in 22 – and he has chosen the socialist rather than the conservative option on each once. That is why we are behind in the polls.
“This torture cannot continue after the 4th of July. He should never be allowed to represent the Tory Party again and always, those who believe in conservatism and democracy need to watch out for his influence and dark arts as the leadership battle begins.”
Policy Exchange and Forward were contacted but did not respond. A source close to Mr Gove said: “Michael wishes Nadine all the best for the future.”
Her intervention comes amid speculation that Lord David Cameron will be asked to become interim leader after the landslide victory as the party decides what changes are needed to its rules and how it wants to move forward. with a new permanent leader. However, a source close to the foreign secretary has described this as “utter nonsense”.
There are concerns that ordinary members could be cut out of choosing the next leader altogether even if the Tories are left with only a handful of Dáil MPs.
The former chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, has confirmed that he will be available to advise the successor committee for Deputies of the Dáil who will help draw up the rules of the leadership contest.
But Ms Dorries is not alone in giving reasons for the party’s worst failure in its 346-year history.
Brexiteers and allies of former prime minister Liz Truss plan to highlight the failures to make the most of leaving the EU, cutting taxes and leaving the ECSC.
They point to a “left-right gulf” at the party for Nigel Farage and Reform UK to fill the election with millions of voters defecting away from the Tories.
Right-wingers such as Suella Braverman and Jacob Rees-Mogg have already said they agree with many of Reform’s policies.
Meanwhile, veteran Thatcherite Brexiteer Sir John Redwood has confirmed he is writing a piece detailing why Sunak’s government failed.
But Tory MPs in the center and on the Fair side of the party fear that a right-wing lurch has already proved to be damaging to the Conservatives in this election.
Said former minister Tobias Ellwood, who is fighting for his Bournemouth East seat The Independent: “From Disraeli to Baldwin, Churchill to Thatcher, our party has always succeeded in appealing to the wider electorate. This is what our Prime Minister is trying to do. Moving to the right – a leg is guaranteed for opposition.
“Let’s showcase the middle-right craft state that has served us well in the past.”
However, responding to briefings from Nation One Tories that Brexit was the problem that destroyed the party, former Brexit minister and vice-chairman of the European Research Group David Jones has hit back.
He said: “There is nothing wrong with Brexit. We have regained dominance (although NI is yet to be resolved). Remainers cannot come to terms with the fact that the people rejected the EU.
“Instead of whining, they should be working hard to ensure that Brexit brings economic benefits. We are already seeing excellent trade deals. More will come. Remember we have been stuck in the EU for half a century. So Brexit will not be an overnight project.”
The situation has drawn comparisons with the 1997 debacle under John Major after they went down to their second worst ever defeat against Tony Blair.
But Sir Malcolm Rifknd, who was the Major’s foreign secretary, said there are key differences.
It is also clear, as are many in the One Nation Group, that Boris Johnson and Liz Truss were responsible for the impending defeat.
He told the Independent: “The biggest similarity with the 1997 government is that we were in power for too long!
“But there are two main differences. First, Starmer is not Blair. He is bald but that might not stop him from winning. Attlee did not defeat Churchill in 1945 because of his charisma.
“The other difference is the legacy of Johnson and Truss. Both were not fit to be prime minister. Major was beaten but the public also respected him. Sunak’s integrity is recognized but the battle was lost before he became prime minister.”
In a week’s time it is expected that many more senior Tories will be played in public, especially when the leadership contest is in full swing.
Although the different factions will try to blame each other it is not yet clear who will survive as leadership candidates. Both Kemi Badenoch and Penny Mordaunt are in danger of winning.
