The Conservative Party is a "failing organisation, which is beset by an atmosphere of crisis," a senior Tory MP has said.

In an analysis of why Theresa May failed to win the majority she wanted in the general election, Bernard Jenkin criticised the party's over reliance on soundbites.

In a report for the backbench 1922 committee, Mr Jenkin said problems were compounded by an "underlying malaise" at the party HQ.

Theresa May says she cried on election night after losing her majority

“In a failing organisation, which is beset by an atmosphere of crisis, it can be very difficult to talk truthfully about why things have gone wrong,” he wrote.

“People within the organisation can feel very inhibited and fearful, particularly if there is an atmosphere of blame.

“There tend to be lots of meetings where things going wrong are discussed, and decisions are agreed, but the people then leave those meetings and privately tell their friends why the decisions taken will not work.

"And the people at the very top of the organisation are the very last to know that things are still going wrong, because people do not tell them, or they cannot listen or hear what is being said.

"It is likely that anyone who has worked in CCHQ during the past few months will recognise some or all of these characteristics.”

General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Show all 7 1 /7 General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nick Clegg Picture By Darren O'Brien/Guzelian Picture Shows Former MP, Nick Clegg delivers a speech despite losing the Sheffield Hallam Seat. Labour candidate, Jared O'Mara (Front), defeats Nick Clegg to take the Sheffield Hallam seat. picture taken 08/06/2017 Darren O'Brien General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Gavin Barwell LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: Gavin Barwell MP arrives at Number 10 Downing Street on October 7, 2013 in London, England. British Prime Minister David Cameron announced a Government reshuffle today. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) Getty General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Angus Robertson General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Nicola Blackwood PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Alex Salmond PA General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Rob Wilson Mandatory Credit: Photo by Geoffrey Swaine/REX (1096138i) Rob Wilson, Conservative MP for Reading Funeral of Murdered Student Asha Muneer at Rivermead Leisure Centre, Reading, Britain - 28 Jan 2010 Rex Features General Election 2017: Big beasts who lost their seats Ben Gummer Minister for the Cabinet Office Ben Gummer arriving at 10 Downing Street, London for the weekly cabinet meeting. PA

Mr Jenkin, who was elected unopposed as chairman of the Commons public administration committee yesterday, also lamented the party's failure to attract enough voters under the age of 45.

He noted the party has fewer members than the leftwing Labour campaign group Momentum.

The Harwich and North Essex MP also attacked the party for lacking a "convincing narrative about Jeremy Corbyn, beyond demonisation and vilification".