Priti Patel has blamed the "centre of the party" for the Conservatives' heavy losses within the latest native elections.
The former dwelling secretary stated the social gathering "would not have seen over 1,000 of our friends and colleagues lose their seats" if centrists had "spent more time with us, listening, engaging".
Ms Patel stated the social gathering's management wanted "a moment of reflection" following the outcomes.
She additionally heaped reward on former prime minister Boris Johnson - in whose cupboard she served - for delivering on the "people's priorities".
But she appeared to dismiss Mr Johnson's possibilities of regaining the social gathering's management.
"I don't think that's going to do us the world of good at all," she stated.
Ms Patel was talking on the launch of a brand new grassroots motion - the Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO).
Set up by backers of Mr Johnson, the brand new group needs to offer social gathering members extra energy and is vital of the way in which present Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was appointed chief - describing it as "undemocratic" and a "coronation".
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Today the brewing tensions have been on show at a fringe convention in Bournemouth. It gathered disillusioned social gathering members and MPs, together with former ministers - Priti Patel, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Nadine Dorries.
The group calls itself the Conservative Democratic Association and the speeches have been about reconnecting with the grassroots. But it didn’t take a lot to work out what the actual theme was - Boris Johnson.
The former chief loomed massive over the occasion, at one level actually, delivering a video message to attendees by way of an enormous display. There have been many mentions of his successful methods, his 80-seat majority and his undemocratic removing.
At one level an viewers member shouted: ‘Rishi Sunak out’. Despite the depth of feeling although the large title audio system have been eager to emphasize that they’re not agitating for his rapid return.
Jacob Rees-Mogg urged the corridor to get behind the present Prime Minster and even loyalist Nadine Dorries stated having spoken to the previous chief simply this morning she didn’t count on a come again simply but.
But the message to Rishi Sunak was clear - there's dissent within the ranks and if he missteps they’ve received their alternative in thoughts.
It comes after the Conservatives misplaced greater than 1,000 councillors ultimately Thursday's native elections following a chaotic 12 months that has seen them undergo three completely different prime ministers.
Having initially misplaced the social gathering management contest to Liz Truss, Mr Sunak changed her in October after her 45-day tenure resulted in financial and political turmoil.
By distinction, the Labour Party is now on monitor to being the biggest social gathering in Westminster on the 2024 basic election - however short of an outright majority.
'Managed decline'
Ms Patel, additionally a Johnson loyalist, instructed CDO members on Saturday that Mr Sunak wanted to supply extra "hope and optimism" for Conservatism or he risked being answerable for the "managed decline" of the social gathering and defeat at subsequent 12 months's basic election.
In her speech, Ms Patel stated the Conservative Party had not coated itself in "glory" within the final 12 months.
"In fact, some parts of Westminster and colleagues have done a better job at damaging our party than the opposition, even the left-wing campaign groups, the civil service that you know we all struggle with day in, day out," she added.
"And even, I'm afraid, some of those in the media that want to distort and make life difficult for us.
"We have seen, as mentioned as we speak, the ousting of a democratically elected... in reality, our most electorally profitable prime minister since Margaret Thatcher."
However, in an interview with GB News because the convention got here to a detailed, Ms Patel stopped in need of suggesting that Mr Johnson ought to return as Conservative chief.
"I'll be very candid. I don't think that's going to do us the world of good at all. And partly because of everything that the public saw last year."
Calling for social gathering reform - and probably Johnson comeback
The CDO first emerged in February however formally launched on Saturday. Alongside speeches, key posts got out and the social gathering's structure was debated.
Earlier this 12 months, the CDO campaigned for constituency associations to have the ability to select their very own parliamentary candidate and to have the ability to deselect their MP.
It additionally needs the Conservative Party chairman to be straight elected by social gathering members.
Read extra:Johnson considered sending Sunak 'foul-mouthed video'Is this a new dawn for Labour?
As properly as Ms Patel, former enterprise secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg is claimed to be among the many backers, with former prime minister Mr Johnson "in the background" as "supportive".
The timing of the launch is not going to be misplaced on Tory MPs who're nonetheless reeling from native election losses.
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They stay divided on key points like tax cuts, defence spending and social gathering development technique.
And self-discipline inside the social gathering dangers additional deteriorating if the CDO cranks up the stress on MPs to reform its structure.
There are additionally issues that it's eager to reinstate Mr Johnson as prime minister after CDO vice chairman Lord Greenhalgh tweeted that the momentum behind his comeback is "unstoppable".
"It is time to restore the democratic rights of Tory members, not least the right to choose parliamentary candidates without being hectored and bullied by party headquarters," he added.
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