Boris Johnson, who is now the centre of anger in all wings of Conservative Party today, has become a spreading infectious disease. What started out as a schism among old and new became a growing infection.
Dissent started as survivable unhappiness at the PM backing Covid restrictions a large chunk of freemarket backbenchers saw as hampering economic recovery for little lifesaving gain.
However, it escalated into open rebellion after Owen Paterson’s resignation as north Shropshire MP sparked what would be called “Red Wall vs. Red Trousers” fighting.
Comparatively young MPs in 2018 seats taken from Labour were shocked by corrupt attempts of the old guard to get the former Northern Ireland Secretary out, even though he was a paid lobbyist for companies paying him a six figure retainer.
Partygate was a catalyst for this generational division, but the sparks are now being lit in other areas of the party.
The MPs that are shocked at the behavior of the No10 regime believe Johnson is honor-bound to resign. Others with grievances (old and new) against Johnson were also encouraged.
David Davis is a veteran Brexit kingslayer and one of the most loyal Big Beasts. The scourging has given way to Remainers, who see an opportunity for cold revenge.
Many MPs have a long career, but feel they’re too talented for the backbenches. Mr Johnson’s team has cruelly ignored them. They begin to wonder how their prospects would change if there was a better team.
It is believed that cabinet ministers who notice the No10 door slightly open have begun plotting.
The Boris loyalists are pitted against them, as well as the MPs that would sit in front of a bulldozer while the PM is being killed.
We will examine here the various groups that are jostling in the chaos surrounding the government.
The Red Wall
The current revolt has been centred on the New Tories from the former Red Wall seats (Durham’s Dahenna Davieson is pictured), which were taken from Labour in 2019.
The origins of Dissent were merely a survival instinct at the PM backing Covid limitations, which a large portion of backbenchers in free markets saw as hampering recovery economic for very little lifesaving benefit.
The drama culminated yesterday with Christian Wakeford, Bury South’s ex-concussionist, fleeing to Westminster.
The current revolt has been centered on the New Tories who have taken the seats known as the ‘Red Wall’ seats from Labour. The Pork Pie Putsch has been named after Alicia Kearns (the MP for Melton), who denied being involved.
The drama culminated yesterday with Christian Wakeford of Bury South fleeing, ending a long day of drama in Westminster. While his actions on the floor might have been more detrimental to the rebellion than beneficial in the longer term, they were a clear example of the frustration felt toward the PM.
The 109 new Tories that came in to the 2019 election are the most loyal. They owe their seats and success in routing Jeremy Corbyn to him (some may argue that they should also be grateful for the ex-Labour leader).
However, they showed what for No10 is an annoying independent streak. It has been difficult for them to learn from and to be guided by more senior, experienced Tories due to the Covid disruption of Parliament. These men are often drawn from a more humble background than the patrician older guard and reflect that.
Their anger at the political maneuvering around Owen Paterson – with only his closest friends refusing to admit he was caught bang to rights – was made evident when Wakeford, then still a Tory, called him a ‘c**t’ to his face.
Since then they have gone into overdrive over Partygate and the general air of malaise around the Government.
Some of it stems from the disgust that No10 doesn’t adhere to the rules constituents had insisted upon.
This party is also due to the fact that many Red Wall seats are dominated by the Tories. In Bury South, Wakeford was represented by a Tory majority with just 402 votes. They don’t enjoy the same luxury as the shire Tories, who have thousands upon thousands of blue voters.
The Red Trouser Brigade attitude, a shire Tory, has also not been helpful. The Red Trouser Brigade, a shire Tory group that patronizes the young intake (whose average age is 34), has done little to help matters. They see them as children who don’t know anything and are less savvy than they should be and more grateful for their elders.
It’s like a parent telling their child not to wear that outfit out.
Red Wallers had been ready for nuclear war yesterday. Wakeford’s departure dampened their powder but the Sue Gray report, which is expected to be released next week, could rekindle it.
The Big Beasts
The most striking moment on Wednesday was when David Davis, ex-Brexit Minister, used PMQs and told the PM to his face that the PM should leave.
The most striking moment on Wednesday was when David Davis, ex-Brexit Minister, used PMQs in order to tell Pm that he should quit.
He told the tale using the words of Oliver Cromwell, which he later used to address the Long Parliament.
He faced Mr Johnson – who was written books on Winston Churchill and his rise to power after Chamberlain – and urged him to stand aside, telling him ‘In the name of God, go’.
Mr Davis has long been a thorn in the side of Conservative prime ministers.
After a campaign in which he paradered women with tight “it’s D for Me” T-shirts, he collapsed to make way for David Cameron.
He resigned in 2018 as Brexit Secretary because he was not convinced by Theresa May’s Brexit plan.
He had advised her to vote in the 2017 snap election, which led to a hung parliament that prevented her passing Brexit legislation.
Boris was his previous supporter. He is credited for persuading Owen Paterson to turn on his stunningly by convincing the Pm.
Although critics believe the minister was acting more out of ego than the actual incident, it is possible that there were some rumblings from those on the backbenches who are known as the Big Beasts.
Many expressed dissatisfaction at the PM’s Covid restrictions, which they felt were too restrictive.
Some question the economic plan to recover from Covid that is high-tax and high-spending. They demand a traditional Tory recovery.
Other leaders, such as Iain Duncan Smith, have voiced their disapproval over China’s access to the country and other matters.
Some of them don’t have the time or knowledge to make public statements like Davis. These people share the conviction that there could be some mid-term blues, but that it isn’t the Suez Crisis that forced Anthony Eden from his job in 1956.
The Sue Gray report may be a good starting point, particularly if there is heavy criticism of the PM that is already reflected in negative opinion polls.
Scotland
Douglas Ross demanded that Johnson be resigned last week. This was after Johnson admitted to the Commons that Johnson had been at a Downing Street party under lockdown.
Johnson has the unusual position of being at once Minister For The Union and Persona Not Grata in Scotland.
He’s still just as loved north of the border, as an England World Cup win.
The problem used to be limited to the opposition of the SNP or other parties from Scotland. This week, however, the Scottish Tories have turned against him.
He has had a rocky relationship with the Scottish party in the past. Ruth Davidson was a leader in the past and ran a campaign known as Operation Arse, to try to stop him being leader after Theresa May.
Douglas Ross is now Douglas Ross’s successor and has requested a trial separation even though she may not have filed for divorce.
Last week, he made public his demands for Mr Johnson’s resignation. He did so after admitting in the Commons that he had attended a Downing Street party while lockdown was on – although unknowingly
In a series of bold TV appearances, Mr Ross said: ‘There was one simple question to answer yesterday, indeed, from Monday night when we saw this invitation which was to more than 100 people asking them to join others in the Downing Street garden and bring their own booze.
“If the Prime Minster was present, which he acknowledged today, I did not believe he could continue.
Lady Davidson was a vocal critic of Johnson and endorsed Mr Ross. His comments were a difficult call, she said. However, it was the right decision.
The absence of support from the PM by the other Scottish MSPs and MPs was notable.
Jacob Rees Mogg, Tory minister and all the rest did not help to settle the dispute. They also publicly ridiculed Ross as an insignificant person.
This makes Nicola Sturgeon a happy First Minister, with a bulging war chest to support her fight for independence.
Boris Haters
Many of these people are straddling the old-fashioned Boris haters such as Roger Gale (left), and Tobias Ellwood, (right).
Many of the above-mentioned groups have the simple, traditional Boris haters.
Despite not spending much time with MPs, the PM managed to make a lot connections.
He supported Brexit, and the subsequent sabotage of the Withdrawal Agreement through parliament stripped the party from most of its remaining members.
Young and old MPs, both ambitious and overlooked, are wondering if there is a way to improve their chances for a ministerial position.
Similar ideas were expressed by ex-ministers when Theresa May replaced them.
Many people don’t like Boris Johnson because of his flexibility with truth and chaos and wonder where this all will end.
This morning the Chairman of the Commons Public Administration Committee William Wragg went over the top and urged MPs to report any attempt to “blackmail” them over their support for a no confidence motion against Boris Johnson to the Metropolitan Police.
Andrew Bridgen and Sir Roger Gale are two of the many who publicly admit to having written letters of no confidence regarding Mr Johnson’s leadership.
Before a vote can be taken on his position, he must have fifty four. Although he cannot be certain that he will lose, the way he wins could result in a loss if there is tight voting.
In blaming the’moral vacuum in the heart of Government,’ Mr Bridgen joins Ross, Sir Roger and William Wragg to call for the resignation of Mr Johnson over his handling the lockdown party scandal.
The Conservative Association in Sutton Coldfield, a rock-solid seat, said last week that it was withdrawing support for Johnson because he failed to control No10’s ‘culture.
Bridgen, writing in The Telegraph, stated: “Sadly the Prime Minister’s position has become untenable.”
‘Leadership is not just about the job title, or even making big decisions — it is equally about having a moral compass, of knowing not just right from left but right from wrong.’
Boris loyalists
Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary, has been a major supporter of PM in Cabinet
Through it all, there remains a hard core of Boris loyalists: MPs who believe in the Boris project and ministers who either believe or realise they are unlikely to remain in their job is he is forced out.
Nadine Dorries is a Culture Secretary and a strong supporter for the Prime Minister in the Cabinet. Operation Red Meat, which was a sabotage of the BBC’s licence fee, was initiated by her. She later denied that the attack would be ending in 2027.
The romantic novelist and former reality TV star has also been a notable attack dog in Tory WhatsApp groups, demanding loyalty and attacking his critics.
She was expelled from a Tory WhatsApp Group last month after the dramatic resignation of Lord Frost saw Brexiteers split.
Steve Baker, a former minister, removed Boris Johnson from the group after she called him a hero and defended Boris Johnson.
Ambitious Cabinet ministers
The two main actors appear to be Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Chancellor Rishi Sonak, who were political newbies until about 2 years ago.
Some ministers may be behind Boris but others might be trying to take his place.
The major players are Chancellor Rishi, a politician who was unknown up until two years ago, and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.
As a result, Tory leaders speculation was fuelled when the Chancellor abruptly ended an interview with TV on Tuesday where he was asked whether he would give his full support to the PM.
Mr Sunak had said he believes Mr Johnson is telling the truth over the row and backed his request for ‘patience’ as senior Cabinet Office official Sue Gray conducts a formal inquiry.
MsTruss has, like Mr Sunak, high support from the Tory grassroots. In an effort to secure their backing, it is said that he met with Conservative MPs called “fizz With Liz”, by opposition.
The Foreign Secretary’s allies played down the meeting, claiming that she met with MPs regularly as part of Foreign Office business.
As she was on her planned trip to Australia, she has been able to stay out of the latest fights.
The Chancellor stated that it was his first interview after Mr Johnson’s apology to the MPs about the party scandal. He said that he had accepted Johnson’s explanation of why he wasn’t warned beforehand about the No 10 drink event in lockdown May 2020.
“Ofcourse I do. Last week, the Prime Minister explained his views on this issue in Parliament. He spoke to broadcasters, “I refer you to him.”
“Sue Gray is currently conducting an inquiry in this matter, and I completely support the Prime Minster’s pleas for patience until that ends.
Sunak was asked whether the Prime Minister should quit if he lies to Parliament. He replied that he would not get involved in hypotheticals. However, the ministerial codes are clear about these issues.
When asked if Johnson was his unwavering support, Sunak quickly ended the interview and walked off, still holding a microphone.
After the Prime Minister’s apology last Wednesday to the Commons over the May 20th 2020 “bring your own alcohol” garden event at No 10, the silence of the Chancellor was already seen as conspicuous.
Penny Mordaunt, former defence secretary, has been also linked to a possible run. Former leadership frontrunner Jeremy Hunt is not far behind.