MAIL ONLINE: Cameron's former leadership rival Davis leads chorus of dissent ? / Blunkett: 'This is profoundly undemocratic'
David Cameron's plan to bring in fixed-term parliaments was condemned as a 'recipe for anarchy' today as Tories broke ranks to openly attack the move.
Senior Conservative Party figures rounded on the new PM as they argued the proposal to bring in legislation allowing him to govern for five years undermines the 'primacy' of Parliament.
They angrily condemned the idea, laid out in the coalition deal agreed by the two parties which they said had been 'cobbled together' with only the approval of Mr Cameron's closest aides.
The change in law would mean Mr Cameron could be removed only if 55 per cent of MPs voted for the dissolution of Parliament and an early election.
A number of MPs want to retain the right to kick out a government by a simple majority of one, by way of a no-confidence vote.
David Davis - once Mr Cameron's leadership rival - is understood to be among the growing number of politicians opposed to the 'stitch-up'.
Senior Tory backbencher Christopher Chope said today: 'I think it is unsustainable as a proposition.
'If the present Government was to lose its majority in Parliament and wasn't able to operate as a minority government because it didn't enjoy the confidence of a sufficient number of MPs, then what is being suggested is that it would be able to carry on. That would be, basically, a recipe for anarchy. >>> Gerri Peev | Friday, May 14, 2010
