Grassroots fury at Tory MPs lured by Brown

Patrick Mercer and John Bercow infuriated grassroots Tories and fellow MPs by defying their party and agreeing to work for Gordon Brown last week.

Their eagerness to help the Government was condemned as naive by Tories who believe the two former frontbenchers have handed the Prime Minister a cheap propaganda victory.

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Over the weekend it emerged that activists in the safe constituencies held by Mr Bercow and Mr Mercer are discussing possible deselection proceedings or even a challenge from an independent Tory.

Mr Mercer revealed that he and his wife Cait have been targeted by activists with calls for his dismissal.

He said: "There are rumblings and they do concern me. I can present a very reasonable case not to be de-selected if it got that far. I hope it won't."

Although both MPs have the backing of constituency officials, rank-and-file members voiced uncertainty and, in some cases, anger.

The row could heap fresh embarrassment on David Cameron.

In public, the Tory leader has played down the issue and expressed a willingness to support any effort to develop "consensual politics".

But behind the scenes the Tory high command is furious. Mr Cameron believes that by helping Mr Brown, the two MPs have encouraged the impression that their party is in turmoil.

On Friday Mr Cameron authorised former Cabinet minister Sir Malcolm Rifkind to accuse the Prime Minister of playing "cynical" politics with Government appointments.

Mr Mercer, a former Army officer who was sacked as Tory security spokesman in a race row earlier this year, has a majority of 6,464 in Newark. Tories there said he had made a mistake in becoming an adviser on security.

Tony Roberts, leader of the Tory group on Newark and Sherwood council, said "The bulk of people I have spoken to have concerns."

District councillor Roger Blaney said: "Patrick is incredibly popular but many will be privately questioning him about why he thought it was the right thing to do."

In Buckingham, where Mr Bercow has a majority of 18,129, there were clear signs of unhappiness at his agreeing to advise the Government on children with special needs.

County councillor Bill Chappell said: "I would feel happier if John was feeding his expert knowledge into the Conservative machine."