Boris Johnson was told by Tory MPs that he must get his Government on track within six months.
In one of the biggest by-election swings in history, the Liberal Democrats overturned a Tory majority in the North Shropshire constituency of almost 23,000 – and won by 5,925 votes.
Sir John Curtice described Helen Morgan’s victory as a “political earthquake” that measured ‘8.5/10’ on the Richter scale.
Boris Johnson was ordered to bring his Government back to track in the next six-months by Tory MPs last night after he lost the historic Shropshire By-election. (The PM can be seen at a London station police on Friday).
This turnaround led to bitter recriminations yesterday and new questions about Prime Minister’s authority. Tory MPs told him to urgently “get a hold” of No 10, a no-no operation.
Some of Mr Johnson’s critics even tried to seize on the result to suggest the Prime Minister was ‘drinking in the last chance saloon’ – with Sir Roger Gale warning: ‘One more strike and he’s out.’
While senior officials strongly dismissed the suggestion that Johnson might be facing a leadership challenge immediately, they advised Johnson that there was little time for him to change things.
Many MPs stated that the PM needed to make a comeback in six months before May’s crucial local elections.
Helen Morgan, victor in the Lib Dems was pictured with Tim Farron, ex-party leader on Friday. In one of the biggest by-election swings in history, the Liberal Democrats overturned a Tory majority in the North Shropshire constituency of almost 23,000 – and won by 5,925 votes
Sir John Curtice described Helen Morgan’s victory as a “political earthquake” that received a Richter score of ‘8.5 out ten”.
Above: Ballot papers counted at Shrewsbury. This turnaround led to bitter recriminations yesterday and new questions about Prime Minister’s authority. Tory MPs told him to urgently “get a hold” of No 10 operations.
A former cabinet minister stated that “if there’s a bloodbath in local elections it could very well trigger a move against him.”
A Tory MP added: “He has some time to rebuild, but he must finish it before the spring. A meltdown in the local elections is not something he can afford. It might encourage people to take action. Another minister said: “Hopefully, the message has now reached the bunker and that it isn’t all well out there.
The vote in Parliament this week was Tory MPs raising the alarm. Now voters echo the message. No 10 should listen – the PM has six months maximum to get back on track.’
Yesterday, Johnson claimed he had taken ‘personal responsibility for his loss of the seat that Owen Paterson had vacated after it was discovered that he had violated lobbying regulations.
He acknowledged that he had to “fix” issues like the accusations against Downing Street parties. These allegations have fueled anger within Parliament and elsewhere.
He did however implicitly criticize the media, insisting on a constant litany about politics and politicians that had overshadowed Government successes such as the quick roll-out of Covid booster jab campaigns.
“I have to be honest and admit that I’ve failed to convey this message in the past few weeks. Have all the other distractions obscured it? He said, “Yes, it’s been obscured by all this other stuff.”
Yesterday’s outcome came after a dark week marked by Covid rule-breaking claims in No 10, and rebellion by Tory MPs regarding restrictions.
And it has led to fresh speculation over the leadership ambitions of both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss – widely seen as the favourites to suceed him – while some Tories even claimed that Michael Gove was ‘on manoeuvres’ for a potential third leadership bid.
‘People turn up and find that Michael is the guest of honour, setting out how he sees the world,’ a source said. It’s the same as last year.
However, Mr Gove’s ally dismissed this claim as “total nonsense”.
Yesterday’s Senior Tories insisted that Johnson would not face an immediate leadership challenge.
Yesterday’s outcome came at the conclusion of a difficult week that was dominated in part by Covid claims and an uprising by Tory MPs against restrictions. And it has led to fresh speculation over the leadership ambitions of both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss – widely seen as the favourites to succeed him – while some Tories even claimed that Michael Gove was ‘on manoeuvres’ for a potential third leadership bid
Ruth Davidson, the ex-leader of the Scottish Conservatives told BBC Radio 4’s World at One the PM was a ‘last chance saloon’ while backbenchers had gotten ‘tired’ of constant drama emanating from No 10 and No 11 apartments where he lives.
Backbenchers have reacted negatively to the suggestion, saying that despite there being plenty of venom and bad mood, Theresa May was still in power. Boris is the ideal candidate.
Ruth Davidson was the ex-leader of Scottish Conservatives and said on BBC Radio 4’s World at One, that the PM had ‘into the last chance saloon” and that backbenchers were tired of the constant drama from No 10, No 11, and No 12’ in his home.
The treasurer for the 1922 committee was Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown. He said that it wasn’t the right time to play a “big blame game”, but Mr Johnson had to end his’self-inflicted goals’.
Sky News was told by him that ‘I want him success, and I’m giving him the benefit-of the doubt’. “But I want him, as one of his veteran backbenchers to consider carefully how he governs our country, and to avoid taking these self-inflicted actions.”
Sir Iain Duncan Smith was a Tory former leader. He said: “Going forward now Downing Street only has one purpose, and that is delivery for the Prime Minister. It requires disciplined and focused delivery. Those who are unable to focus should be removed.
JASON GROVES: As one disillusioned MP put it: ‘We’ve had an advent calendar of s***. More pours in every day that the door is opened.
Daily Mail, by JASON GROOVES
Owen Paterson might have been served his 30 day suspension for breaching lobbying regulations and could be, in parallel universes, back in the Commons serving as the MP for North Shropshire’s ultra-safe Tory constituency.
Instead, Paterson has quit in disgrace. The Conservatives managed to win the seat from the Liberal Democrats. Backbench Tory MPs warn openly that Boris Johnson may be forced to resign.
Even by mid-term standards, the Tories’ by-election loss is devastating.
Christchurch, 1993 was the last time that the Tories saw a swing greater than 30 percent to the Lib Dems. The party’s demise was witnessed by historians at the next general election, which saw a Labour victory.
Conservative MPs have begun to question whether Johnson, who has inflicted the injury themselves, is right to lead them into next year’s election.
Even by mid-term standards, the scale of the Shropshire defeat was devastating for the Tories. In 1993, Christchurch was the last time that the Tories experienced a more than 30% swing to the Lib Dems. Conservative MPs have begun to question whether Boris Johnson, the self-inflicted wound, is what is making them doubt their ability to win the next election.
Without Mr Paterson’s failed attempt to save him, there wouldn’t have likely been a by-election. If the Conservatives had attempted to alter Parliament’s sleaze regulations, they would not likely have faced the tsunami of accusations over poor behaviour which cost them support by thousands of Shropshire Tories.
According to a senior Tory, who had spent extensive time in the constituency, claims that No 10 was being used as a lockdown busting party triggered anger at Oswestry Street and Market Drayton. ‘We had a good candidate – people thought he was a nice guy – but they are p***** off with us,’ the source said.
“It was only party, party party, and more party at my doorstep.” The video that showed people at No. 10 laughing only made it worse.
‘They are Tories, it’s a Tory seat – and if we can get our act together we can win it back – but they want competent government… and they don’t feel they are getting that at the moment.’
Owen Paterson, above, could have been served the 30-day suspension due to breaking lobbying rules, and in parallel universes, be back in Parliament as MP for North Shropshire, the safe Tory seat. In disgrace, Paterson has quit, and the Conservatives managed to win the seat from the Liberal Democrats. Backbench Tory MPs openly warn that Boris Johnson could be forced out of office with a’strike’.
Tory MPs are equally critical of the performance of the government in recent weeks. One backbencher complained: ‘We’ve had an Advent calendar of s*** from No 10. Every day another door opens and more s*** pours out.’
Some – admittedly Remainer allies of former PM Theresa May – are in open revolt.
Yesterday, Sir Roger Gale revealed that he submitted a letter in no confidence to Mr Johnson. He declared it was the ‘last orders’. Ruth Davidson was another Boris critic. She said that Mr Johnson had been notified by his MPs. “They want a little bloody grip to be exercised,” she stated.
Yesterday’s backbenchers largely agreed with Sir Charles Walker’s more balanced assessment. He warned that it was ‘completely selfish’ to try and force Britain into another Covid crisis.
He said, “If we continue to make unforced mistakes over the next three-to six months or nine month, it will be a lot worse.”
Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrats after her win in North Shropshire By-Elections on Friday
Many MPs saw next May’s local election as an opportunity to challenge the leadership. “He has six months,” said a former minister to the Cabinet.
“People should see government competence only as a minimum. It’s time to eliminate the self-inflicted debilitating harm. The poll ratings are also important. It is becoming more common for people to start to work out what this all means for them. A bloodbath in the local elections could be the catalyst for an action against him.
Many MPs think the PM is capable of righting the ship. His win in 2019 still draws some loyalty, and it’s widely acknowledged that he is still one of most intelligent politicians his generation.
Nearly everyone wants him to get rid of the dysfunctional No 10 team. In the aftermath of 100 Tory MPs’ extraordinary revolt over Covid restrictions, many want the whips office to be dissolved.
Many believe there needs to be a more extensive reshuffle. But there are serious doubts about whether the PM has the will to change – or even really accepts he has a problem.
Johnson failed to win over mutinous MPs at the meeting of the backbench1922 Committee this week.
Witnesses have told Johnson that Andrew Percy (a Tory member of the ‘Awkward Squad) said to Mr Johnson that he was capable of remaining PM for several years as long as he “sorted out his team” in No 10.
One witness said: ‘The PM said we ‘shouldn’t believe all that media guff’ – he just dismissed it. The level of denial was so overwhelming that people couldn’t believe their eyes.
A former cabinet minister said that potential successors’ discreet campaigns would increase in the aftermath of PM’s nightmare weeks. Liz Truss is brazenly portraying herself as the second coming of Margaret Thatcher – a low tax, freedom loving, woke-bashing Tory
Yesterday Mr Johnson said he accepted ‘personal responsibility for the terrible outcome in North Shropshire.
But, he again appeared to blame the media – and even the voters – for his predicament, saying people had been too fixated on ‘politics and politicians’ and failed to notice the Government’s other achievements, such as the rapid rollout of booster jabs.
It has been speculated that he might be replaced by someone else. A former cabinet minister said that potential successors would be more discreet in their campaigning after the PM’s horror week.
Liz Truss is brazenly portraying herself as the second coming of Margaret Thatcher – a low tax, freedom loving, woke-bashing Tory, who is only too happy to pose for a photo op on top of a tank.
In a swipe at rival Rishi Sunak, the Foreign Secretary has let it be known that she opposed his decision to raise taxes to pay for social care – and has even hinted she briefly considered resigning from the Cabinet over the issue.
The allies of Mr Sunak point out with gentleness that Miss Truss has been a late convert, as she campaigned for Remain at the 2016 referendum.
The Chancellor emphasizes his tax-cutting goals at his briefings. He indicated that he wants to follow Nigel Lawson and reduce the income tax main rate when possible.
The two top-ranked men are not the only ones who can manoeuvre.
Tory MPs report that Treasury minister Mel Stride has again started hosting cosy dinner parties for backbenchers at which Michael Gove is always the guest of honour – prompting speculation he is considering a third tilt at the top job.
Priti Patel’s chances of winning are ‘certain’ according to Tory MPs. Penny Mordaunt was also reported to have reached out to potential supporters.
Nadhim Zhawi, Sajid Javid, and Nadhim Zahawi have many admirers. Ambitious outsiders such as Tom Tugendhat will likely give it a shot, even if they are not in the Cabinet.
Johnson will be able to buy some time because there is no obvious successor. His critics admit that there’s no candidate who can match his proven electoral appeal.
But his unique selling point has always been his ability to defy political gravity – the politician who won two terms of office in Labour London, who led a victorious Brexit campaign against the odds, who secured seats in Labour’s heartlands that had been red for a century.
Now, political gravity seems to be stepping up. Some MPs are concerned that Johnson could become a political black hole, sucking the party to his feet.
If he remembers how, he has enough time to get the anti-gravity device working again. It may take him less time than he realizes.