Theresa May 'warned against promoting too many women' as reshuffle plans begin

Senior Tories have warned Theresa May against promoting too many women as she plots a new year cabinet reshuffle.

The prime minister is thought to be considering promotions for seven female ministers in February, in order to address gender imbalance in the cabinet.

But male MPs said appointments must be made on “merit”.

The Conservative leader is contemplating promoting Amber Rudd, the home secretary, and Karen Bradley, the culture secretary, according to The Telegraph.

The newspaper reports that May is also looking to bring in Anne Milton, Claire Perry, Sarah Newton, Margot James and Harriett Baldwin.

The 21-member cabinet currently only has five female members.

One long-serving male Tory MP told the Telegraph: “I am sure there will be a push to promote women because Theresa May was in charge of Women2Win.

“It is a big thing for her and that does mean that people are promoted not necessarily on merit and that is a sort of worry.

“It should be on absolute merit.”

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However, another added: “I think we are pretty clear on women that people are going to get promoted on merit and there are some very capable women in the party.”

The MP said: “There is definitely a pressing case to bring on some of the younger MPs, particularly the 2015ers.

“I don’t think we are going to have a leadership contest at any time soon but people will need junior ministerial experience at least if there is to be a good contest in the future that is not only between the current familiar faces.”

The weekend’s newspapers were awash with rumours of the reshuffle, with The Sunday Times reporting that Andrea Leadsom could be sacked as leader of the House of Commons.

The prime minister is said to be considering offering the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, a move to a “super-charged” Brexit role based in another department.

According to reports, David Davis believes he could be “marginalised” if Johnson accept the role. However, Johnson is likely to resist such a move.

Chris Wilkins, who was May’s director of strategy, said a reshuffle would show her “position of strength”.

“It has two purposes: to show the country the depth of talent there is in the Conservative party and to show the party is united and is a broad church that welcomes all views and opinions,” he said.

“We need to stop asking ourselves where people voted on Brexit and just look for the best person for the job.”