Tory rebel MPs are betting that Boris Johnson will “blow himself up”. up” with further scandals over summer to rules protect him from others confidence vote may be changed to force him off office.
prime minister narrowly survived bulletin on his premiership this week, spurred in part by potential contenders for the leadership choosing to keep off launch your own advertising campaigns.
Conservative party rulesJohnson is immune to another vote for 12 months. But The Guardian understands that the 1922 Committee overseeing such votes could shorten that period to six months or even less.
Executive committee elections expected place in coming weeks and will be seen by some as de facto vote on whether to take this step.
Considering that the members of the committee made up mostly of deputies who counts want Johnson is gone – including Graham Brady, William Wragg, Nusrat Ghani and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown – the rebels said their re-election likely means Johnson could face another confidence vote before next June.
The contractor can change rules regarding such contests majority vote and does not require support of the entire parliamentary party.
Conservative rebels admit they ‘pressed the nuclear button’ with Monday vote and was left with several Yet options to help them pile pressure on Johnson. Plans drawn up for “vote blow” to paralyze the government’s legislative agenda if necessary.
But many are sure that Johnson will “blow himself up.” up” with further scandals giving impetus for another confidence vote in autumn.
They pointed to the line of difficulties for in prime minister – for example, a number of standards over defense of the disgraced former MP Owen Paterson, undeclared loan for redecorating of Johnson’s apartment on Downing Street and Partygate – and believe that further “forced errors” are likely.
Bullish Johnson on Environment cleared off embarrassment of 41% of its deputies declare that they have no confidence in his in Monday private vote. He said that his premiership had “barely begun” and stated that he had “chosen up political opponents all over in place” because the government achieved “some very big and very wonderful things.
He said during prime minister questions: “Absolutely nothing and no one … going to stop us from receiving on with delivery for British people”.
But he received fresh criticism from a Tory colleague, who was then forced step down how government adviser. Helena Morrissey, a staunch supporter of Brexit, said that prime minister booed at a platinum anniversary event last the weekend suggested that he “became a burden rather than asset”.
Asked if Johnson should carry onLady Morrissey told LBC: “Honestly, I’d rather he didn’t.” She said that he wasin in wrong work”, showed no remorse and should “go with dignity”.
After Morrissey intervened, who was made peer from Johnson in September 2020, told to quit. role on in board at the Foreign Office and did so.
BUT former Advisor #10 said it was “mistake for the prime minister to be a happy demobilization, “because one day someone rebelled and” crossed the Rubicon ” vote against him, that would be hard to get them back.
But they said potential leadership contenders like Penny Mordaunt, Jeremy Hunt and Tom Tugendhat were likely to keep quiet. for currently. Other cabinet ministers are thought to be eyeing up top job, but who remained loyal, including Liz Truss, foreign secretary and Nadhim Zahavi, education secretary.
former adviser said: “No one ready solve team problem of leadership race that requires multiple people take jump individually.”
Government sources played down the threat of immediate cabinet reshuffle, suggesting that No. 10 was nervous about creating more enemies by demotion of ministers.
With many Tories ‘pricing in expected defeat in two by-elections on June 23 – in Wakefield to Labor and in Tiverton and Honiton to the Liberal Democrats – sources suggested that Johnson want wait until after contests before starting another government reload.
