{"id":23804,"date":"2013-01-27T10:46:41","date_gmt":"2013-01-27T09:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.co.uk\/2013\/01\/27\/tory-mp-adam-afriyie-coup_n_2560673.html?utm_hp_ref=uk-politics?ncid=GEP"},"modified":"2013-01-27T10:46:41","modified_gmt":"2013-01-27T09:46:41","slug":"is-this-man-plotting-a-coup-against-cameron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rinf.com\/alt-news\/breaking-news\/is-this-man-plotting-a-coup-against-cameron\/","title":{"rendered":"Is This Man Plotting A Coup Against Cameron?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Speculation in three Sunday newspapers suggests Tory MP, Adam Afriyie,<\/a> is a surprise contender to be the next party leader if David Cameron fails to deliver a majority at the 2015 general election.<\/p>\n

MPs are reported to have been approached to endorse the credentials of the self-made IT millionaire – who became the party’s first black MP in 2005.<\/p>\n

A number of sources however have questioned the story with Tory MP, Margot James, dismissing the rumours as “ridiculous”.<\/p>\n

The alleged campaign was said to be a “well organised” by individuals concerned about the party’s prospects of being returned to office amid poor opinion poll ratings and grim economic news.<\/p>\n

But the Prime Minister’s popular promise of an in\/out referendum on Europe appeared to have squashed speculation that it could be part of a plot to oust him before the election.<\/p>\n

Mark Field, one of those reported to have been pushing Afriyie as a potential leader, said: “I do not think it’s any plot against the Prime Minister”.<\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/strong>
Sophy Ridge<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That’s some briefing operation – Adam Afriyie leadership bid in three Sunday papers…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When the Mail on Sunday, who refer to Windsor MP Afriyie as the “Tory Barack Obama”, asked about the campaign, he said: “You are being very mischievous.<\/p>\n

“I supported David Cameron to become leader. I love him and want him to be leader for the next 20 years.”<\/p>\n

He later told the newspaper in an email: “David Cameron is Prime Minister and I am concerned that the media is taking attention away from the promised referendum.<\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/strong>
Walaa Idris<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The story of Adam Afriyie \u2018coup\u2019 is so ridiculous & insulting but it shows the media’s desperation for a Tory division<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“We are all working hard to achieve a Conservative majority so the British people get their say on the EU.”<\/p>\n

The newspaper said MPs approached to give their support had been told Afriyie had the backing of 40 MPs although others put the number at half that.<\/p>\n

Field told the Mail on Sunday that he had had “a handful of conversations with people” but that there was “no mass campaign” in support of Afriyie.<\/p>\n

<\/span> <\/strong>
Jonathan Haynes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About 9 out of 10 who replied (and you’re an engaged group!) have not heard of Adam Afriyie, who MoS and ST are touting as a Tory challenger<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“Discussing him as a long-term option has nothing to do with destabilising the Coalition or plotting against the current leadership. It would be impossible to do that given how the rules operate and counter-productive.”<\/p>\n

The Sunday Times quoted a “friend” of Afriyie, who is 47, as saying: “The team are well organised.<\/p>\n

“They are very concerned about the long-term future of the party and believe Adam is the future. He has a fantastic back story and is very impressive.”<\/p>\n

Among factors in favour of the relatively-unknown MP – who was shadow science minister before the 2010 election – are said to be his upbringing in a poor part of south London and the fact that he has never claimed travel or second home expenses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\n

Speculation in three Sunday newspapers suggests Tory MP, Adam Afriyie,<\/a> is a surprise contender to be the next party leader if David Cameron fails to deliver a majority at the 2015 general election.<\/p>\n

MPs are reported to have been approached to endorse the credentials of the self-made IT millionaire – who became the party’s first black MP in 2005.<\/p>\n

A number of sources however have questioned the story with Tory MP, Margot James, dismissing the rumours as “ridiculous”.<\/p>\n

The alleged campaign was said to be a “well organised” by individuals concerned about the party’s prospects of being returned to office amid poor opinion poll ratings and grim economic news.<\/p>\n

But the Prime Minister’s popular promise of an in\/out referendum on Europe appeared to have squashed speculation that it could be part of a plot to oust him before the election.<\/p>\n

Mark Field, one of those reported to have been pushing Afriyie as a potential leader, said: “I do not think it’s any plot against the Prime Minister”.<\/p>\n

\n<\/span> <\/strong>
Sophy Ridge<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That’s some briefing operation – Adam Afriyie leadership bid in three Sunday papers…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When the Mail on Sunday, who refer to Windsor MP Afriyie as the “Tory Barack Obama”, asked about the campaign, he said: “You are being very mischievous.<\/p>\n

“I supported David Cameron to become leader. I love him and want him to be leader for the next 20 years.”<\/p>\n

He later told the newspaper in an email: “David Cameron is Prime Minister and I am concerned that the media is taking attention away from the promised referendum.<\/p>\n

\n<\/span> <\/strong>
Walaa Idris<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The story of Adam Afriyie ‘coup’ is so ridiculous & insulting but it shows the media’s desperation for a Tory division<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“We are all working hard to achieve a Conservative majority so the British people get their say on the EU.”<\/p>\n

The newspaper said MPs approached to give their support had been told Afriyie had the backing of 40 MPs although others put the number at half that.<\/p>\n

Field told the Mail on Sunday that he had had “a handful of conversations with people” but that there was “no mass campaign” in support of Afriyie.<\/p>\n

\n<\/span> <\/strong>
Jonathan Haynes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About 9 out of 10 who replied (and you’re an engaged group!) have not heard of Adam Afriyie, who MoS and ST are touting as a Tory challenger<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“Discussing him as a long-term option has nothing to do with destabilising the Coalition or plotting against the current leadership. It would be impossible to do that given how the rules operate and counter-productive.”<\/p>\n

The Sunday Times quoted a “friend” of Afriyie, who is 47, as saying: “The team are well organised.<\/p>\n

“They are very concerned about the long-term future of the party and believe Adam is the future. He has a fantastic back story and is very impressive.”<\/p>\n

Among factors in favour of the relatively-unknown MP – who was shadow science minister before the 2010 election – are said to be his upbringing in a poor part of south London and the fact that he has never claimed travel or second home expenses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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