The Conservative leader of Medway Council says Theresa May should step down as Prime Minister as soon as is possible.

Cllr Alan Jarrett said that she and other cabinet colleagues had let the country down in the way they had handled Brexit.

There have been reports that members of the cabinet are plotting to ditch Mrs May and are seeking to secure a commitment that in return for supporting her deal, she should announce that she will stand down.

But the Ashford MP Damian Green, a close ally of the PM, questioned what would be achieved by replacing her at such a critical moment.

However, speaking on the latest edition of KMTV’s Paul On Politics Cllr Jarrett said: “As soon as this deal is over it's quite obvious to me that she has to go. She is on borrowed time and she has been dealt a very poor hand and she has not played it very well. I think history will show that this was a classic case of how not to do international negotiations.”

He said she had given up the country’s two most powerful bargaining chips - keeping the option of a ‘no deal’ and witholding the UK’s financial contribution of £39bn.

Asked if he felt that she had let the country down, he said: “Yes but she is not alone. I think the House of Commons is letting the country down and has behaved disgracefully. But I think she has let the party and the country down because she has presided over a disastrous negotiation.”

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke described reports of a cabinet coup as “appalling”. In a tweet he said: “If there is to be a leadership change it must be done by MPs and the membership in accordance with the rules - not by a Cabinet stitch up.”

Meanwhile, the Ashford MP Damian Green said it was a critical week for Parliament.

“This week has to be the week when Parliament comes up with something concrete rather than just voting against things. I have said all along that No Deal we would be particularly bad for Kent. I fear that we may get a lot of other votes if the Prime Minister’s deal doesn't get through. People should recognise that this really is our last chance to come to a positive decision.”

He said MPs had to acknowledge that they might not get 100% of what they wanted but had to ask themselves if they're getting enough of what they wanted to support the deal. “A disorderly Brexit would be very bad for the country and for Kent.”

Paul Cooper, chairman of Faversham and Mid Kent Conservative Association, said there was a growing feeling among grass roots activists that the Prime Minister should go.

“The feeling is intensifying from both sides that she must go as soon as possible and let someone else take over the negotiations.”

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