Major slams Tory party spats and move to right

TORY former prime minister Sir John Major has accused his party of a “loss of pragmatism, tolerance, nuance” in a wide-ranging criticism of its current direction.

- SOPHIE WINGATE

He warned that the party lurching “too far to the right” has left many traditional supporters “politically homeless”.

The approach to net zero, overseas aid and Europe “seriously alienates” most voters, the former Conservative Party leader said in an attack on its current policies.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to repeal the Climate Change Act, which created the committee and the framework for cutting emissions to net zero by 2050, and to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.

The party must widen its appeal and win back support or risk a “bleak” future with people turning to Reform UK's “amateur populism’, according to Sir John.

In a speech at a Conservative Party lunch yesterday, Sir John said “we, as a party, are ourselves in part to blame’ for “anxious people ... turning to populist politicians’.