Melanie had had enough. After watching Boris Johnson try to explain that there had not been a lockdown-busting party in No 10 – and even if there had, no rules had been broken – she picked up the phone to Conservative Central Office and cancelled her party membership.
“Just cancel my membership,” I said. “I have resigned; I won’t support Boris,” she said on a BBC Five Live phone-in shortly after Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions ended.
‘I’ve always voted Conservative. Boris was the only reason I became a member. I liked Boris so much that I joined. “But I cannot believe what Boris says anymore.
Some Tory MPs are whispering feverishly about sending letters of no confidence to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee – the first step in triggering a leadership contest
This isn’t the only one. Tory MPs have reported a rising tide of angry phone calls and emails coming in from constituents and members of the party about No 10’s lack of grip and the poisonous claim that the government doesn’t apply the rules to them.
Some Tory MPs have begun to question whether it would be better to live without their leader, who is a chaotic person and whose winning qualities can’t be overcome by chaos in life and government.
The roaring of approval is quickly becoming the norm in what started out as discontent at the Owen Paterson sleaze allegations.
Paul Goodman, the editor of Conservative Home’s website which backs the PM broadly, said yesterday that it had suddenly become more likely to vote no confidence.
The Daily Telegraph asked Mr Johnson, his former employer, the following question on its frontpage: “Is this Boris’ last chance?”
Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brownn, treasurer of 1922 Committee said that No 10 was “just making too many personal goals, frankly”. Do you think the PM has enough time left? “Not yet. But I believe he needs to take control. Everyone will go to Christmas next week. No doubt everyone will come back expecting a lot more.
When MPs decide on Plan B, Johnson will face what appears to be the largest Tory rebellion of his premiership.
Things are set to worsen before they improve.
This week has been difficult for Carrie and the PM. An unusual apology was made for the leaked video, in which the No.10 aides laughed about the Christmas party. This did not stop the anger.
He announced that Britain was moving to Covid Plan B hours later. This led to accusations that he was trying to distract attention from the fact his staff were breaking rules.
Yesterday, the Electoral Commission fined the Conservative Party £17,800 for inaccurate reporting of donations to the refurbishment of the PM’s Downing Street flat, leading to fresh questions about whether he had told the full story to his adviser on the Ministerial Code, Lord Geidt.
However, it looks like next week will be even more challenging.
This Tuesday’s Tory revolt will see Johnson face what appears to be his biggest challenge as MPs cast their votes on Plan B.
Yesterday evening, dozens of Tory MPs publicly stated that they wouldn’t support this new crackdown. Many were apparently not aware the Government had made substantial concessions.
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday in Shropshire North’s by-election, triggered by Mr Paterson’s resignation for violating lobbying rules. However, the Conservatives are holding a dominant majority of 23,000 votes. Tory leaders worry that the hard backdrop at Westminster may lead to an unexpected defeat.
Some Tory MPs are whispering feverishly about sending letters of no confidence to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee – the first step in triggering a leadership contest. Pictured above is the PM with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, December 1.
One insider said that although we have a wonderful candidate, the situation could not have been worse.
“We are facing a serious struggle to free our people.” Boris Johnson is really in serious trouble? Are the Tories actually ready to throw out the man who won them a landslide victory in the election two years ago? He also defeated Jeremy Corbyn, delivered Brexit and was victorious over the Tories?
His past has seen him repeatedly confound critics, leading his friends to call him the “greased porclet”. However, the Tory mood right now is much more febrile that anything since the election.
Sajid Javid, yesterday, revealed that he has refused to stand up for the Government in the airwaves today after the clip of the fake press conference was released.
One MP was so disappointed by the performance of the PM on Wednesday, that he took his car straight home and ignored a three line whip.
Red Wall MPs are feeling jittery, many of them sitting in wafer thin majorities, and are not aware of the possibility of losing their seats.
Some Tory MPs are whispering feverishly about sending letters of no confidence to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee – the first step in triggering a leadership contest.
There is no way to know if the actual number of votes needed for a confidence vote will be near the 54. However, some people believe things could quickly change.
One knight from the shires stated that he was brilliant but chaotic. He must stop being Boris. But we are certain he will not. He would be wise to recall that even if the polls are against him, we have the ability to be brutal.
“I doubt you’ll see any change now. But if they aren’t better by Easter, then it could spell doom for him.”
A supportive Cabinet minister says the situation is ‘recoverable – provided certain things happen’, before reeling off a list which boils down to installing some discipline in the No 10 operation and being more collegiate.
He said another that his critics don’t have an answer for the question “Who else could lead the Red Wall?”
Minister said that he was the only person who could hold the electoral coalition together.
‘Rishi (Sunak), Liz (Truss) – they’re on manoeuvres, but how do they win in Darlington?’
Many things depend on what the PM will do next. He needs to improve the No 10 operations, make fewer unforced errors, and give more attention to the parliamentary parties.
If he starts to look inwards and polls drop in New Year’s Eve, then it is possible that his coworkers have lost their patience.