Yeo warns against Tory complacency

Yeo says Iain Duncan Smith's leadership is now secure

The Conservatives must guard against complacency and not assume Labour's troubles signal a Tory election victory, shadow cabinet minister Tim Yeo has warned.

Mr Yeo also accused "elements" within his party of blocking leader Iain Duncan Smith's efforts to restyle the party.

In a newspaper interview, the trade and industry secretary said Mr Duncan Smith should be given space to lead the Tories.

The Daily Telegraph, which conducted the interview, suggests his remarks are an attack on Tory chairman Theresa May.

Lord Bell, an adviser to the party, on Sunday described as damaging Ms May's conference speech last year saying the Tories were seen as the "nasty party".

We mustn't assume that just because things have gone badly for Labour the country is about to turn to the Conservatives Tim Yeo

Mr Yeo told the newspaper: "The party needs to let Iain Duncan Smith lead in the way that previous leaders have.

"At the moment there are too many elements in the organisation which act as blocks against what he is trying to do."

Two recent opinion polls have put the Conservatives ahead of Labour and Mr Yeo warns his party of getting carried away over such news.

"We have to guard against complacency," he said. "We mustn't assume that just because things have gone badly for Labour the country is about to turn to the Conservatives.

"We can't assume that a slump in Labour's support automatically leads to a Conservative government."

Loyalty claims

Earlier this year, Mr Yeo suggested Mr Duncan Smith's leadership would be under threat if the Tories did not make gains in May's local elections.

Now, six months later, he says his leader's job is secure after clearing the local polls hurdle with "room to spare".

"Iain can fairly lay claim to the unstinting support of the party now, right through to the general election," said Mr Yeo.

He went on: "This time last year we might have thought that a gain of 100 seats at the next election be a great result.

"But my goodness, now people say let's get these bums out. Our expectations have been greatly raised. The post-Blair era is coming over the horizon."

Priority campaign

With Tory officials increasingly looking towards the next election, Mr Yeo says that battle must be fought with "laser-like intensity" on target seats.

"In the end that's where votes are needed," he said.

"We have to be disciplined in saying that's where the resources will be concentrated, where members of the shadow cabinet will spend their time, where professional staff will spend their time, where money is directed."

Later, Liberal Democrat chairman Mark Oaten, said: "May may stay, or May may go, but the simple fact is that the Tories are unwilling and incapable of being led as a party whoever becomes leader and whoever chairs the party."

Tory officials are likely to be annoyed by more talk over Mrs May's position.

They insist her job is secure and would also agree with Mr Yeo about the elections staving off speculation about Mr Duncan Smith's leadership.