As they attempt to take Tory heartland seats, the Liberal Democrats will target Dominic Raab as well as other Conservatives who are loyal to Boris Johnson.
This is the Justice Secretary’s marginal Surrey constituency. The party’s latest ad campaign highlights support for the PM in light of the series of illegal gatherings that took place at Downing Street during the Covid lockdowns.
Mr Raab’s Esher and Walton constituency is a major ‘Blue Wall’ goal for the Lib Dems, with the party having cut his majority from 23,298 in 2017 to 2,743 in 2019.
After Mr Johnson had admitted that he was the first person to have attended a drink event at the No10 garden, Mr Raab gave his own words in an interview last Wednesday.
In it he said: ‘I’m full supportive of this prime minister and I’m sure he will continue for many years to come.’
The Lib Dems hope to capitalize on the anger of Tory voters in his seat, and in those in other seats held by ministers or backbenchers that speak in support for the Prime Minister in a Sue Gray report.
Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: ‘Whilst people were unable to say goodbye to their loved ones, Boris Johnson and his staff held party after party after party, and when they got found out, they lied and lied and lied. A Conservative MP who defended that will not be forgiven by the people.
Party’s first ad campaign will target the marginal Surrey seat of Justice Secretary. It will emphasize support for PM over illegal gatherings at Downing Street in the Covid lockdown.
The Lib Dems have made Mr Raab’s Esher-Walton constituency a key ‘Blue Wall” target, having reduced his majority to 23,298 from 2017 and 2,743 by 2019.
“It’s embarrassing to see Dominic Raab defend Boris Johnson’s antics in the party.”
“The Liberal Democrats won’t allow Conservative MPs hide behind Sue Gray next week. It doesn’t matter what her conclusions are, Boris Johnson is going to decide his destiny. This political sham will be exposed by the public.
Boris Johnson was a criminal, he deceived parliament and the people and he now must be fired.
“If Blue Wall Conservative MPs choose to use Sue Gray Report outcome to support Boris Johnson, then we will inform their constituents.
After their recent by-election victories in Chesham and Amersham, the Lib Dems remain optimistic about making inroads within Tory heartlands, mainly in southern England.
Party officials in Esher and Walton – which voted 58-42 in favour of Remain in the 2016 EU referendum – have previously warned that the seat could be lost at the next election. It will turn orange if it receives a 2 percent swing towards the Liberal Democrats.
As the Tories ridicule ‘Operation Save Big Dog,’ Mr Johnson struggles to save his political future today. Meanwhile ministers try desperately to diffuse explosive claims by Dominic Cummings that Dominic Cummings lied to Parliament about Partygate.
After his chief aide attacked him again, the PM was told he has to prove that he’s ‘house-trained’. He claimed he’s ready to swear under oath Mr Johnson warned against a May 2020 drinks party at No10.
It contradicts what the prime minister said to the House of Commons on Wednesday last week, in which he claimed he thought ‘implicitly’ that the gathering had been a work function.
Dominic Raab was Mr Johnson’s deputy and called the latest accusations against Mr Cummings “nonsense” in an interview this morning. He stated that he believed the PM was’straightforwardly’ with the Commons. And urged the public to wait until the final results of the Sue Gray probe.
When asked whether Johnson should quit if he ‘knowingly misled’ the MPs, Mr Raab stated to BBC Breakfast that ‘I believe the ministerial codes should be respected at all times.
If a minister lies to Parliament, or fails to rectify their mistakes, Mr Raab answered: “Yes.”
As the Tories ridicule ‘Operation Save Big Dog,’ Mr Johnson struggles to save his political future today. Meanwhile ministers try desperately to diffuse explosive claims by Dominic Cummings, who claimed that he has lied to Parliament about Partygate.
On Johnson’s future, Mr Raab stated that he was confident that Johnson would continue for many more years. He also said that he could be there to support the next election. Times Radio said that Johnson’s suggestion of lying was absurd.
Lord Hague, Tory’s ex-leader and snide commentator on Mr Johnson’s title as the “Prime Spaniel”, said that he had to prove he’s ‘fully house-trained” in order to save his life. If he was removed from power, he warned the premier that he would fall into a “lonely group of his own” and lose control over his’standards for probity.
According to the Times peer, “There will be a temptation for Operation Save Big Dog about sacking some workers and reannouncing certain policies.” The Prime Spaniel must show that he has been house trained and can lead the entire kennels to create a culture of respectable teamwork.
“We will soon find out whether Johnson can accomplish that feat, and be quick enough to make sure we stay in power.”
After a shocking poll revealed the extent of the scandal’s damage, unrest is escalating on the Conservative benches. Labour was 13 points ahead.
Two ministers of Johnson have voiced their disapproval at the effect on trust and public confidence in government.
George Freeman, Science Minister, said that he was shocked and stunned by these revelations and asked why his staff could enjoy these gatherings when his constituents couldn’t view their dying loved ones.
Maria Caulfield, the health minister, stated that the spirit of the rules was the same regardless of how technically the rules had been broken. After Ms Gray’s report on the events has been published, she stated that she would “consider what actions are necessary”.