January 22, 2018 3.26 pm This story is over 80 months old

Downing Street dismisses Nick Boles’ outburst that Theresa May’s government ‘constantly disappoints’

He told the PM to raise her game.

A spokesman for the prime minister has rejected claims made by Grantham and Stamford MP Nick Boles that Theresa May’s government “constantly disappoints” due to a “timidity and lack of ambition”.

The Conservative former skills minister tweeted his damning assessment of the government on the evening of Friday, January 19.

He listed the decision not to seek a judicial release over the release of serial black cap rapist John Worboys, the housing crisis and NHS funding as examples where the government has not delivered.

Boles, who has called for a rebranding of National Insurance to provide long-term funding for the NHS and social care, told the PM that it was “time to raise your game”.

His comments were retweeted by senior Lincolnshire county councillor Colin Davie, who is the portfolio holder for economy and place at the authority.

Lincolnshire county councillor Colin Davie. Photo: Lincolnshire Reporter

Outside of Lincolnshire, other leading Tories were keen to support Boles’ comments.

One unnamed former cabinet member told The Sun: “We were told things would change after the election. But to coin a phrase, ‘Nothing has Changed’.”

Asked about Boles’ criticisms, the prime minister’s spokesman told The Guardian at a lobby briefing: “If you look at action that has been taken by the government in recent months, you can see that it is getting on with the job of building a stronger economy and a fairer society that works for everyone.”

The spokesman is also said to have given examples of Theresa May’s ambition which he outlined as publishing an industrial strategy, developing plans for an energy price cap, and cutting stamp duty for first-time buyers.