The SNP has claimed senior Tories’ efforts to persuade David Cameron to serve another term as prime minister show the party is in “crisis”.
Cabinet ministers will try to stop their current leader following through on his decision to step down before the 2020 general election.
Chancellor George Osborne – previously the favourite to succeed Mr Cameron – suffered a major blow to his chances after making multiple U-turns on a Budget which was roundly criticised.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who is close to the prime minister, refused to respond yesterday when asked if she would back him staying on as leader.
SNP deputy leader Stewart Hosie said: “Following another disastrous Budget, with government ministers quitting and with civil war breaking out over the EU referendum, it is clear that the Tories are now in crisis.
“With David Cameron’s heir apparent George Osborne having blown any remaining credibility he had on the economy – and with it his chances of succeeding the prime minister – senior Tories must truly be in a state of panic and desperation if they think that begging David Cameron to stay on as Tory leader is the solution to anything.
“Whoever replaces the Tory leader needs to make huge changes to the party, including ditching its economically illiterate obsession with austerity and its predilection with the nasty party policies of the past.”
Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell joined the attack after the revelation that ministers believe the prime minister is a unifying figure within the Conservatives, unlike Mr Osborne, despite the party being publicly divided over Europe.
He said: “It’s clear that many even on the Tory benches now think George Osborne shouldn’t be chancellor any more.
“As every day passes the Tories are more interested in fighting each other and putting their party’s interests first instead of those of our country.”
Speculation has been rife over who might replace Mr Cameron since last May’s Conservative majority was returned, but some in the Cabinet believe “he can be persuaded” to stay on.