(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Theresa May faced fresh stirrings over her leadership yesterday after her 'shambolic reshuffle.
One senior Tory MP branded her 'pathetically weak while another claimed she had 'failed to reassert her authority.
A third senior backbencher said she had missed the chance to use her new-found political strength to push through a radical overhaul of her Cabinet by moving senior ministers.
Few MPs were voicing their criticism in public. However, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told the Standard: 'If there were problems about the reshuffle, they lie in the expectations that were built up prior to it. 'That comes down to managing media, and I suspect that is where the faultline exists and needs to be resolved behind the scenes.
Former Tory chairman Grant Shapps, who was accused of trying to oust May after last June's disastrous election for the Conservatives, told BBC Newsnight: 'Clearly, to be blunt, it wasn't a brilliantly executed performance with the reshuffle.
Other MPs were far more outspoken in private. One former minister said: 'It's a complete, bloody shambles. At the crucial time, she failed to reassert her authority.
'We need some new, young, strong talent in ministerial ranks as a matter of urgency. This is her last change to salvage anything.
Another senior Tory MP said: 'It was a complete disaster. It's a reminder how pathetically weak she is. It just reminds Tory MPs that difficult as it is, there is an alternative, which is to change leader.
A third senior backbencher stressed: ' May's position is much stronger than she appears to realise. She could have made significant moves at a senior level and the parliamentary party would have fallen in line. Her problem is she won't quickly get the opportunity again. However, many Tory MPs were defending May as she started a reshuffle of junior ministers yesterday, with International Trade Minister Mark Garnier one of the first to be axed.
He tweeted: 'Very sad to have lost my job at @tradegovuk but looking forward to supporting @theresa_may Government from the backbenches.
Philip Dunne also left his job as defence minister, saying: 'I have been very proud to have been a defence and health minister for five-and-a-half years. I wish the government well and will support it from the backbenches.
A number of young MPs, from more diverse backgrounds and from the 2015 and 2017 intakes were expected to join the ministerial ranks, following promotions to Cabinet on Monday which included Damian Hinds replacing Justine Greening as education secretary. Putney MP Greening turned down work and pensions secretary, which was given instead to Esther McVey.
David Lidington moved from justice to replace Damian Green as minister for the Cabinet Office, but was not awarded the title of first secretary of state enjoyed by his predecessor.
The 'night of the blunt knives spun off course when Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt successfully argued against a move to business in a meeting with May, leading to Business Secretary Greg Clark staying in his post.
In another mishap, Tory HQ tweeted the wrong name of the new party chairman. However, Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke, who represents Elmet and Rothwell, said: 'It's not gone backwards. There are more women attending Cabinet. If you look at diversity in the party, that's mainly within the newer intakes. From talking to colleagues, the PM has made a good decision. A lot of people are very happy about Hunt and with social care moving into the health department.
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