Shropshire's MPs are still backing Theresa May as PM – for now

In her address to the party this week, Mrs May called for unity, and said all sides needed to compromise over Brexit, or they could put Britain’s withdrawal from the EU at risk.

Many observers noted that the speech made no specific mention of her controversial Chequers proposals, which have come under fire from both pro EU and Brexit supporters.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, who has pledged to defy the party whip and vote against Chequers if was put before the Commons in its present form, warned that the PM was becoming more vulnerable the longer she continued pushing for the deal.

“The fact that she didn’t mention the word Chequers at all is an acknowledgement of the massive feeling against it,” he said.

“All we want her to do is listen to members of her party who overwhelmingly want her to ‘Chuck Chequers’. This was a missed opportunity to say she would listen to the party.”

However Mr Paterson said that MPs voting against Chequers did not necessarily mean the triggering of a general election.

“We are just asking her to deliver on the Conservative manifesto and on the Lancaster House speech.

“However Mrs May will become more and more vulnerable the longer that this goes on. I would much prefer her to move away from Chequers and avoid a leadership challenge than keep pushing and pushing which could drive some MPs to push themselves for a leadership battle.”

Confidence

Ludlow MP Philip Dunne added: “This was a confident and purposeful speech by the PM, delivered with self-depricating humour and humility.

“She set out her clear determination to deliver a Brexit outcome around which the country and the party can unite.

“But she also produced some positive domestic policy initiatives: improving cancer outcomes, delivering affordable housing, freezing fuel duty and pointing to next year’s spending review as marking the end to austerity as the public finances have improved.

“This was a successful speech with centrist policies of opportunity under the Conservatives, drawing the stark contrast with Labour’s further lurch to the far left last week.”

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said he wanted to support the Prime minister but he and local party members would need to see the final Brexit documents first.

He said he would be meeting with local party members to discuss their views on the party conference, Chequers and Brexit.

“The absence of any acknowledgement of Chequers from the PM’s speech makes it obvious that she knows that Chequers in not overwhelmingly popular,” said Mr Kawczynski.

But he said it was premature to discount Chequers altogether, and wanted to see the final draft. “I want to support the prime minister but the agreement has to wash with the party and with my local party members. How I vote will depend on their reaction.”

Mark Pritchard, MP for the Wrekin, praised Mrs May’s speech, but also warned that the issue of Brexit was not going to go away.

“This was probably one of Theresa May’s best speeches,” he said.

“However, Brexit, and how that is effectively delivered, still remains. The next few weeks will be critical in getting Brexit right, and reveal whether she can deliver.”

Montgomeryshire MP, Glyn Davies, said: “I think I am Mrs May’s greatest fan at the moment.

“The straw she has drawn is so short that you can hardly hold it,” he added. “Mrs May was treated by the EU in a most appalling way to humiliate her and Britain.

“She was clearly angry but she carried on doing what is right for the country. She is putting her country before herself, which not many people would do.”

Mr Davies, who voted to leave the EU, said the country needed a deal and the Chequers proposal was the only one on the table at the moment.

“We need to negotiate on something based on the Chequers proposals,” he said. “Too many people are standing up and criticising her but they dont have an answer to what they would do.”

Telford’s MP Lucy Allan was contacted for comment.

May-be best is to come for Theresa

by Shirley Tart

When she was Home Secretary, I sat next to Theresa May at a dinner and just wondered how the evening’s conversation might go.

Well forget the talk about her being not easy to chat to because from the start she was entertaining with a wry humour and was quite charming company.

Mind you, on that occasion we weren’t treated to the song and dance routine we have just seen and heard!

Now, I’ve interviewed the Prime Minister over the years and heard her speak many times.

But never so well as she did this week.

I recall the tale she told me then about their milkman who still did doorstep deliveries.

He arrived one day and anxiously knocked the door to be greeted by the new Home Secretary.

Having seen his customer’s new role flagged across the front pages, he royally congratulated the lady of the house on her appointment before asking solemnly and very respectfully: “Will this affect your milk requirements?”

Chuckling as she related the little story to me, our now Prime Minister assured him it would not.

And as for now? Well, things have certainly changed big-time for Theresa and Philip May.

Many pints (or litres depending on your European feelings) will have passed under the bridge before our now Prime Minister May has need to address the question of their milk supply again.

During interviews and listening to her speak more formally, I have always admired the resolve and commitment to whatever her job may have been at that time. Whether you or I shared her views was neither here nor there. Theresa May does not pull back from the front line of debate.

As Home Secretary, she weathered more than a few unsympathetic audiences and as the blessed Brexit issue still hangs over us like an ominous threat. She has endured with dignity those ill-mannered and unpleasant reactions from European gatherings where, frankly, we saw unseemly displays of ignorance as they chose to ignore her.

She was right to remind us – and them - that she has always treated Europe with respect and that Britain should expect no less.

Now, some believe that her ‘safe pair of hands’ have served their turn and it’s time for a more dynamic approach.

So what now? Has half a week in Birmingham really undone a couple of years of mixed pain and hard won fortune? Did Prime Minister Theresa May leave the plush and splendid Symphony Hall content that not only had she done her very best but that she had largely convinced the critical audience in front of her and the one much farther afield as well?

A ballot box is always the best place to decide these issues but you can get more than the odd clue from welcomes and farewells as politicians down the ages have discovered. So is it make or break time for the lady who might be excused for feeling battle weary given the slings and arrows of the most outrageous fortune she has endured since leaving the Home Office for the job not only of leading the Conservative Party but also leading the country?

Future

As she has spent these many months powering her way in and around Europe and, indeed, across the world, Theresa May must have so often felt bone achingly weary with the prospect of another flight to another tough debate tomorrow. Dealing with a severe diabetic condition is tough at the best of times. And she has seen many of the worst over these later years. But she has never wavered in what she increasingly sees as her duty to her nation.

Theresa May believes that our post-Brexit future is “full of promise” as she aimed to rally the party behind her with this keynote conference speech.

She may be under pressure to announce when she will stand down after senior ministers said it was now a question of “when, not if.”

Well there wasn’t much evidence of that from what I could see.

Since the speech came the day after Boris Johnson who reckoned he spoke with humility (really?) won a standing ovation as he branded some Brexit issues a “constitutional outrage”.

While Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, backed the May performance, booming: “She will deliver the prize that millions voted for. She will not flinch from her duty.”

I voted to stay in Europe. But I respect the democratic result in which the majority voted to leave.

As for the PM, certainly over the years, the vicar’s daughter, committed Christian who is widely considered to be a thoroughly decent sort, has had to deal with and shoulder some mighty burdens. And she has indeed accepted them all as her duty.

While devoted husband Philip, her rock and stay who looks so anxious for her at such times, has been there to support her in every way.

Theresa May herself said this week: “The best is yet to come.”

I believe her. Wonder what the milkman thinks now?