Members of Activate, the Conservatives’ answer to Momentum, are backing traditional Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg to be the party’s next leader as they urged Theresa May to stand down.
In a statement, the fledgling organisation said their endorsement of the ardent Brexiteer follows a “unanimous” vote by its leadership and regional representatives.
Mr Rees-Mogg, the 48-year-old MP for North East Somerset, has gathered something of a cult following in recent months, becoming known for his idiosyncratic turn of phrase and unashamedly traditional beliefs.
“Activate are now backing Jacob Rees-Mogg for the next leader of the Conservative Party,” the statement said.
“We feel that Theresa May’s leadership is simply not working, and we require fresh direction.
“Activate will now be openly backing Jacob Rees-Mogg as we feel he has the vision and competence to lead the Conservatives into the next General Election and deliver a Brexit that truly works for everyone.”
Activate was recently founded as a Conservative grassroots organisation by young, social-media savvy Tories concerned by the party’s waning levels of support among younger voters.
Mr Rees Mogg, who is known for his filibustering or “talking out” bills he opposes in the Commons, has previously played down speculation he could become leader following Ms May’s dismal performance at the last general election.
During the Conservative Party’s 2016 leadership election following the EU referendum and David Cameron’s resignation, Mr Rees-Mogg initially gave his backing to Boris Johnson – who did not stand – before eventually supporting Michael Gove. He then endorsed Andrea Leadsom after Mr Gove was eliminated.
Younger Tories – particularly those who backed Brexit – are said to be enamoured of the Eton-educated father of six who is opposed to gay marriage as a practising Catholic.
Groups such as the Rees-Mogg Appreciation Society and Moggmentum sprung up on social media platforms as the MP’s profile was raised during the referendum and the general election earlier this year. He also won plaudits after appearing on the BBC programme Inside the Commons.
Mr Rees-Mogg said that speculation he could challenge for the leadership was “part of the media’s silly season” – although reports suggest he has mulled the possibility of standing at some point in the future if he feels the time is right.
In a poll taken just last month for Conservative Home, the MP, who has a background in finance and remains one of the highest earning Parliamentarians, was voted the second favourite to lead the party, behind Brexit Secretary David Davis.
Ms May said last week she is “not a quitter” and fully intends to lead the party in the next general election, whenever it may be, with Mr Davis, 68, remaining the favourite to succeed her.
But a number of younger party members have expressed a wish to “skip a generation” and find a younger leader.
