David Davis warned the Tory Party is ‘dying a death of 1,000 cuts’ and faces a ‘year of agony’ if it does not act swiftly to oust Boris Johnson over allegations of rule-breaking parties in Downing Street.
After one of the Tory new MPs left for Labour, the senior Conservative informed the Prime Minister that he should ‘in God’ go to the Commons.
The former Brexit secretary then followed this up with a series of further explosive comments in a newspaper interview, before he was nearly run over by a taxi as he dodged further questions from a TV reporter later that evening.
He told the Telegraph: ‘Boris will not leave Number 10 unless he’s dragged out kicking and screaming. The residents of Number 10 are very reluctant to leave. He is a very reluctant person. I feel the need to give him some encouragement.
His initial intervention came during a Prime Minister’s Questions that started minutes after Christian Wakeford switched sides, refusing to ‘defend the indefensible’.
Johnson entered the Commons after his premiership was put on life support. However, a number of Tories who were elected to their seats in the 2019 electoral landslide seemed to be losing faith in Johnson.
No 10, who said that Johnson would fight any vote of no confidence against him, insisted Johnson expects to contest the next general elections.
His press secretary stated that Johnson would continue meetings with MPs to increase support for his back benches.
Boris Johnson (left) was today told to quit over Partygate by senior Tory David Davis at a brutal PMQs today just minutes after an MP dramatically defected to Labour
Today, Mr Wakeford was seen on Labour’s benches wearing a Union flag mask.
David Davis warned that the Tory Party faces “a death of 1000 cuts” and a “year of agony” if they don’t swiftly expel Boris Johnson, who is accused of breaking Downing Street rules.
Sir Keir Starmer, his party leader, welcomed Mr Wakeford to his parliamentary office tonight
A former minister was first elected in 1987. Two years later, Mr Wakeford was elected to the Red Wall seat at Bury South.
According to Mr Davis, the Daily Telegraph interview revealed that he believes either the party will have to take a decision or face 1,000 deaths.
If he fires his staff following Sue Gray’s inquiry by Haltemprice and Howden MP into the events at No 10, during Covid restrictions (which Sue Gray has already done), it will make the Prime Minister appear to be shifting the blame.
He continued, “The ‘crises” of rising energy costs and the National Insurance increase will continue. This could be compounded with the disorganisation at No 10 which could lead to a vote denial at Christmas. It would also mean a year of pain.”
“That’s the worst outcome. Especially for the intake of 2019 and 2017, 2017 and 2015. Slice by slice, this continues and we move at minus anything. Worse, we make policies to attempt to smooth it over.
Speaking shortly after his Commons outburst, Mr Davis admitted: ‘I’ve just made myself the most unpopular person in the Tory party.
“Well, that’s the second least popular. “But I thought maybe we can save it, but maybe we need to speed it up and get it done.
Jacob Rees Mogg (Commons Leader) attempted to downplay the intervention of Mr Davis, calling him ‘always something like a lonewolf’.
He said, “No one would consider David a lightweight. He’s a serious political figure. But his remarks today were too theatrical.”
As he switched sides, Mr Wakeford was elected to office in 2019, with just 402 votes.
After a media interview with Sir Keir Sternmer, Mr Wakeford stated that the Tories were a party trying “to defend the indefensible” as he explained why he was leaving.
After Johnson’s statement that the Tories would win Bury South, a Labour spokesperson said they had been in discussions with Mr Wakeford.
The Prime Minister declined to confirm whether any other Conservative MPs were considering leaving, but the press secretary for the Prime Minster said they weren’t aware.
Boris Johnson however was granted some breathing space by the Tories on Wednesday night, as they closed ranks.
Some claim that the no-confidence motion was stopped by the flow of mail demanding an end to the current crisis. This is despite Mr Wakeford’s dramatic departure from the room to join KeirStarmer.
Conservatives instantly focused their anger on the Red Wall MP’s betrayal, who is a tiny majority in Bury South with just 402. In the meantime, Davis’ full-frontal attack seemed to have backfired.
MailOnline received a statement from a minister in the Cabinet saying that “the tribal nature of politics, and the “professional grump”‘ nature David seem to have chilled the mood.”
Allies to Mr Johnson called Mr Davis “a loner”, while another MP, who was growing frustrated by Mr Johnson’s performances, said that he seemed to be back to his usual self.
An ex-minister stated that if you want to inform the boss about his resignation, you should do so privately. He isn’t a very popular person. He’s very picky.
After his massive election win, Mr Johnson is pictured here with the 2019 intake MPs. Some of the Pork Pie plotters are pictured in rings, with Mr Wakeford being second from the left.
Dehenna Davison with rescued puppy ‘Carter’ pictured next to Carrie Johnson with dog Dilyn and Rishi Sunak, canvasing in Bishop Auckland. It is believed she was one of the ringleaders.
Backbench Tory plotters are Alicia Kearns (left), representing Melton Mowbray (right), and Gary Sambrook (right), from Birmingham Northfield
A poll has revealed that Labour is now 11 points ahead of the Tories in Red Wall constituencies. This dramatic change from their nine point advantage at the 2019 elections.
The 2019 intake politician called it a Pork Pie plot.’ Mr Wakeford has already said that he had written a no confidence letter to Mr Johnson.
This afternoon, he was seen on the Opposition benches wearing a Union Jack-themed face mask. Mr Wakeford wrote a short letter of apology to the premier describing his leadership as ‘disgraceful’. He stated that Labour would be doing more to combat the rising cost of living.
Sir Keir convinced Mr Johnson at the Commons to allow any other defectors into his country, claiming that they are unable to govern the country because the Tories have shown them incapable.
He said that the Labour Party and Conservative Party have changed. ‘He and anyone else who wants to build a new Britain built on decency, security … is welcomed in my Labour Party.’
Johnson was flanked on the front bench by Rishi and Priti Sunak. Johnson replied: “As for Bury South,” the Conservative Party won Bury South under Prime Minister Tony Blair on an agenda that included uniting, levelling up, and delivering for Bury South. Bury South is where we will again win.
Johnson insists he is not going to resign and urges people to “wait for the outcome” of the investigation by Sue Gray, senior civil servant.
In an attempt to stop mutiny, the government has intensified ‘Operation Red Meat’ by implementing crowd-pleasing strategies.
This afternoon, Mr Johnson disclosed that Covid rules have been rewritten and the home-based work order has been canceled.
He also said that masks would no longer be mandatory starting next week – a decision which was supported by Tory MPs.
Johnson stated that the government had done the right things to get rid of the Partygate scandal.
No10 would have felt relieved, as no Red Wallers followed Mr Wakeford out the door. Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison, one of the ‘Pork Pie’ rebels, laughed off ‘bulls***’ suggestions she could switch to Labour or the Lib Dems.
Mr Davis informed Mr Johnson in the Commons that he’d spent several weeks trying to defend him against ‘angry constituents.’ He even reminded them of the “successes” of Brexit.
He declared: “I expect my leaders take full responsibility for what they do.” Yesterday, he did exactly the opposite. He may remember a quote I gave him yesterday: Leopold Amery, Neville Chamberlain.
You have spent too much time here to accomplish any good that you might have done. Go in the name of God.
According to Tories, the PMQ double blow actually helped Mr Johnson’s position.
Amid gasps in the chamber, a seemingly shocked Mr Johnson replied: ‘I must say to him, I don’t know what he is talking about.
‘What I can tell him – I don’t know what quotation he is alluding to – what I can tell him is and I think have told this House repeatedly, I take full responsibility for everything done in this Government and throughout the pandemic.’
Wakeford stated in his resignation letter that he was not satisfied with the leadership or disgraceful conduct he had witnessed over recent weeks.
“But I’m not sure all politicians are created equal. I also believe politics can be used to achieve good. Keir Sternmer is the same.
“He demonstrated integrity through the leadership of his party on important issues to me, including the critical challenge of antisemitism combatting.”
Sir Keir stated that Mr Wakeford always placed his constituents first.
Christian stated that policies by the Conservative government were doing little to assist the Bury South residents and in fact are making their struggles every day worse.
The Tories have now defected to Labour for the first time in 15 years since Quentin Davies left. It comes amid claims that Mr Johnson wept as he begged MPs for more time last night.
According to reports, the PM was seen crying as he spoke with backbenchers who were unsure of his position yesterday. One said that he “knows he’s finished”.
The claims were denied by No10 in a frenetic atmosphere at Westminster. However, it highlights the danger to his leadership and rebels are preparing to challenge him.
Over a coup attempt known as the ‘Pork Pie Plot,’ ministers and loyalists worked together to round up a group new-elected MPs – since one of them represents Melton Mowbray.
According to reports, around 20 MPs met yesterday lunchtime in coordination to send letters to Mr Johnson. In his car crash interview, the prime minister appeared to be close to tears as he was questioned about all the allegations against Downing Street lockdown violations.
However, speculations that 54 letters would trigger an immediate no confidence vote have been disproven. Sir Graham Brady, 1922’s chair, keeps the total secret.
Many MPs would rather wait to hear the outcome of Sue Gray’s Partygate probe – it isn’t expected before next week.
Today, Jonathan Gullis and Gareth Bacon, Tory MPs, went to Downing Street as the PM tried to rally his troops
Christian Wakeford said he would be moving to Keir Sterner’s party because the premier was facing a coup attempt in the Partygate scandal
Johnson apologized in the Commons again for partygate scandal, which could be his last act as Prime Minister.
However, he stated that it was Ms Gray’s responsibility to respond with explanations. He indicated that the report would be available next week.
As he attempted to pose his first question to Conservative MPs, Sir Keir was met with loud jeers by the Conservative benches. He accused Tory MPs having ‘brought boos to Parliament’ in reference to the Downing Street ‘bring your booze’ party that Mr Johnson admitted to attending in May 2020.
According to the official spokesperson for Prime Minister, he didn’t have access to the diary of Mr Johnson on the day the event occurred. It could prove crucial that Mr Johnson had known about the event in advance. He has not denied this.
According to the spokesperson, PMs would typically get a “run-through” of their day in morning meetings. However, he couldn’t say exactly what was discussed on that date.
Johnson’s supporters had requested more time for Johnson as reports suggest that 54 letters could be received from MPs to launch a No-confidence vote on the Prime Minister.
According to the PM, ‘nobody has ever told me what I was doing is against the rules.’ He believed that he was going to a work event.
Dominic Cummings was a former aide and claimed Mr Johnson knew about the events in advance. He was also warned that it was against the law.
According to the PM’s press secretary, it was not possible for him to point out where an event at work would have been allowed under these rules.
Ministers urged Tory MPs to await Ms Gray’s report before making any decision about whether or not to protest the Prime Minister.
Sajid Javid, Health Secretary, stated at a Downing Street press conference that he supports the Prime Minister as he awaits the Gray report.
Javid, the man who ran in opposition to Johnson for 2019’s leadership, said: “We have a leader.” We have the Prime Minister.
Johnson indicated that he will not resign during PMQs.
In a chaotic session Mr Davis claimed he spent many weeks trying to defend Mr Johnson against angry constituents. He also reminded them about the “successes” of Brexit.
Davis declared, “I expect that my leaders will take full responsibility for what they do.”
“Yesterday, the opposite happened to him so I’ll remind him about a quote that may have come to his ears – Leopold Amery and Neville Chamberlain. You have spent too much time here to do any good. Go in the name of God.
Seven Tory MPs called for Johnson to resign, which is far less than the 54 that are required by the backbench 1922 Committee to file letters of no confidence.
It would have been eight, but Mr Wakeford’s departure means that the final total remains unchanged.
Andrew Bridgen (one of the seven) said he anticipated 20 additional letters from Sir Graham Brady (1922 Committee Chairman), as a result of Wednesday’s intake MPs.