Tory grassroots use WhatsApp to coordinate nationwide move to deselect 50 Remain MPs to force no-deal Brexit Members of local Conservative associations across the country are hoping to replace up to 50 MPs with hardline Brexiteers

As many as 50 Tory MPs are being targeted in a coordinated putsch by grassroots activists in a bid to force a no-deal Brexit.

Eurosceptic members of local Conservative associations across the country are connecting via WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging service, in order to orchestrate deselection attempts of their MPs in the hope of replacing them with a hardline Brexiteer.

Efforts are being organised at a time when many Tory associations are holding their Annual General Meetings, with several MPs facing impending votes of no-confidence.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Very unpleasant

“It’s definitely being coordinated,” a former Tory minister told i. “I have members raising issues in an attempt to force a no confidence vote that have been successful in other local associations. They are sharing info with each other.

“They are either entryists from Ukip or they are re-entryists – former Tory members who defected to Ukip and coming back. All they want is a no-deal Brexit and to leave on WTO [World Trade Organisation] terms.”

Another ex-Cabinet member who is facing a no confidence vote described it as “very unpleasant”. “It is a shame as I am very fond of my association, but Brexit has become so divisive,” the Tory said.

While no confidence votes do not automatically lead to an MP being deselected, activists believe they can use a successful confidence bid to force their MP out.

Several Conservatives including Cabinet members are being targeted, such as Greg Clark, who saw a failed no confidence attempt staged against him in Tunbridge Wells last week.

The former universities minister Sam Gyimah is being threatened with a vote by his South Surrey constituency on Friday and Dominic Grieve will face a vote a week later.

It comes just days after Nick Boles, the MP for Grantham and Stamford, quit his local party following a series of run ins with local members who want a harder Brexit.

Mr Boles, who will retain the party whip, said the UK’s departure from the EU had “caused the final disintegration of my relationship with my local Conservative association”.

i has been told as many as 50 Tory MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit were at risk of being ousted by their local associations.

Other names believed to be targeted are Philip Lee, MP for Bracknell, George Freeman, who represents Mid-Norfolk, Antoinette Sandbach MP for Eddisbury, Orpington’s MP Jo Johnson, Energy Minister Claire Perry and Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd.

It led one hardline Brexiteer to call for a general election.

“If we could oust those soft Brexit and Remain MPs it would change the complexion of the House and we could force through Brexit,” the source said.

Ukip entryism

MPs blamed the pro-Brexit campaign group Leave.EU and in particular Aaron Banks, the former Ukip donor, who has called for former Ukip members to join the Tories.

Leave.EU’s website lists Tory MPs opposed to a no-deal Brexit and when their AGMs will be taking place as part of an attempt to “deselect the Tory traitors”.

Another backbencher complained that CCHQ was not doing enough to support its MPs against the entryism.

“I’ve spoken to [Conservative Party Chairman] Brandon Lewis and with the CCHQ but they are not taking this seriously. The party is being shifted further to the right but they are not taking any action,” the source said.