Theresa May to name cabinet, as she works on a written "programme for government" with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
- May's joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill have resigned amid criticism over how the PM's campaign was run.
- May to confirm the rest of her cabinet after Boris Johnson, Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd, and David Davis keep jobs.
- Tories and DUP to agree written "programme for government."
- Gay Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson raises concerns about the DUP's opposition to gay marriage.
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel expects Brexit talks to go ahead as planned.
Theresa May's joint chiefs of staff Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill have resigned after the prime minister failed to win a majority in Thursday's general election.
May was under huge pressure to sack the pair on Saturday. There were reports that if they did not go, the prime minister would face a leadership challenge.
In a blog for Conservative Home, he said the Conservative election campaign "failed" to get across May's "positive plan for the future" across to voters.
Cabinet ministers and a "string of Conservative MPs" told The Guardian that the joint chiefs of staff are "monsters who propped her up and sunk our party."
Timothy was the architect of the disastrous social care plan in May's manifesto, according to reports. She was forced to backtrack on the vision, which included the so-called dementia tax, just days after it was published.
BBC assistant political editor Norman Smith tweeted on Saturday that senior Tories have issued an ultimatum over Timothy and Hill: Sack them or there will be a leadership challenge.
Others have been honest about the advisers' record since May became PM last year. Katie Perrior, the director of communications at Downing Street between July 2016 and April 2017, said she was "staggered at the disrespect they showed on a daily basis" towards ministers and others in government.
In an article for The Times, she wrote:
"The chiefs of staff were great street fighters but poor political leaders. Great leaders lead by bringing people with them, not alienating them before having even digested breakfast. What I could never work out was whether Mrs May condoned their behaviour and turned a blind eye or didn’t understand how destructive they both were."
Australian strategist Sir Lynton Crosby was also under fire for overseeing May's election campaign. He set the tone of her bid to win a larger majority, including what became known as "Mayism" — a relentless focus on the prime minister rather than the Conservative Party.
Deal with the DUP
May is also focused on securing a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The Tories needed 326 seats to win but fell short by eight. The DUP won 10. May will need the Northern Irish MPs' votes to force policy through parliament.
The Telegraph reported that the Tories and DUP will agree a written "programme for government" over the coming days. The document will set out the policies they both agree on. It will form the basis of a series of new laws to be announced in the Queen’s Speech on 19 June.
Speaking about the partnership on Friday, May said: "We will continue to work with our friends and allies in the Democratic Unionist Party in particular.
"Our two parties have enjoyed a strong relationship over many years, and this gives me the confidence to believe that we will be able to work together in the interests of the whole United Kingdom."
The "coalition of crackpots"
There are significant concerns about the relationship, however. Left-wing newspaper The Daily Mirror dubbed it the "coalition of crackpots," pointing to the DUP's hardline views. The party, for example, does not believe in gay marriage, is anti-abortion, and is sceptical about climate change.
Ruth Davidson, the gay Scottish Conservative leader, tweeted a link on Friday to a speech she gave on the importance of equal marriage. She was given assurances by May, however, that the DUP partnership will not impact the Tory support of LGBTI rights.
"I was fairly straightforward with her and I told her that there were a number of things that count to me more than party. One of them is country, one of the others is LGBTI rights," Davidson told the BBC. "It's an issue that's very close to my heart and one that I wanted categoric assurance from the prime minister on, and I received."
Separately, The Daily Telegraph reported on Saturday that Davidson's aides "are working on a deal that would see the Scottish party break away to form a separate organisation." But she branded the story "b****cks" on Twitter. "Folk might remember I fought a leadership campaign on the other side of that particular argument," she said.
Germany's message over Brexit talks
Looming over May is the June 19 date when Brexit talks are due to start. The prime minister is confident that talks can begin as planned— and this was echoed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"I assume that Britain, from what I heard from the Prime Minister today, wants to stick to its negotiating plan," Merkel said during a visit to Mexico City, Mexico.
"We want to negotiate quickly, we want to stick to the time plan, and so at this point I don't think there is anything to suggest these negotiations cannot start as was agreed."
This story is developing.
Theresa May to name cabinet, as she works on a written "programme for government" with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Read Full Story
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