David Cameron provoked his first major confrontation with the Tory right when he announced plans to weaken the role of backbench MPs by ending their right to hold a formal parliamentary meeting without ministers present.

In a move described by rightwingers as worthy of North Korea, Cameron announced an immediate ballot of all Tory MPs to allow ministers to attend the weekly meetings of the 1922 committee. The ballot, which opened within an hour of the meeting and is to be run by the whips, will close today.

Senior Tories believe that the idea, sprung on the party by Cameron at a meeting with no notice, was suggested by John Major, who was plagued by backbench rebellions. The Tory leadership hopes the presence of ministers at the 1922 committee will make it more difficult for troublemakers to plot against the government.

The right rounded on the Tory whips for misleading them into believing that the meeting was to discuss the full coalition agreement that will be launched later today. Members of the 1922 executive, who are due to elect a new chairman after the retirement of Sir Michael Spicer, were given just 20 minutes' notice of the Cameron announcement.

One senior rightwinger said: "Cameron should bear in mind Shakespeare: 'Remember, Caesar, thou art mortal.' This is storing up trouble. There is real hatred towards the leadership."

Cameron's aides said the change was designed to ensure the Conservative party functioned more effectively in government as it follows the example of the Labour party. Ministers are entitled to attend meetings of the parliamentary Labour party when it is in power.

One source said: "In government we are keen that the whole party is involved. David Cameron's view is that instead of having them and us, we should have a fresh start."

The right accepts that Cameron will win the ballot with the help of the new intake of Tory MPs who account for 49% of the 305-strong parliamentary party.

Peter Bone, the MP for Wellingborough, said: "I am surprised at the haste at which this is being done. No consultation. The prime minister has got this wrong. It is bouncing us."

The right believe Cameron's announcement was designed to spike the guns of Graham Brady, the rightwing former shadow Europe minister who is standing for the chairmanship of the 1922 committee.

One MP on the right said: "This is outrageous and is from North Korea. This is control freakery and is worse than anything Tony Blair did with his party."