After nearly all of Johnson’s backbenchers rebelled against his Plan B’ restrictions to fight the Omicron variant, the Conservatives turned the screws on Boris Johnson.
The PM was ordered to “change” by the Ringleaders amid warnings that he might face leadership challenges after the unprecedented protest of 100 MPs against the introduction Covid passes.
While the bill passed because Labour rescued Mr Johnson from bankruptcy, serious doubts remain about Johnson’s political ability to put in a more severe lockdown if needed.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed this morning that the premier has bowed to demands that Parliament must be recalled for a vote before any further restrictions are brought in.
The majority of curbs that were introduced during the pandemic have been done by ministers. However, they can only be approved retrospectively and this has caused fury among sceptics.
A Cabinet source said that Omicron was causing deaths and hospitalisations, so that is the only reason Tory MPs support tightening.
Boris Johnson, pictured today by Ringleaders, was ordered to “change” amid warnings that he might face a leadership challenge following the unprecedented protest of 100 MPs against the introduction Covid passes
Grant Shapps, Transportation Secretary, confirmed today that the prime minister has given in to demands by rebels such as Mark Harper (left), that Parliament should be recalled before further restrictions can be put into place.
The mutiny suffered by Mr Johnson in the Commons last night (pictured) was close to the record insurrection that hammered Theresa May’s Brexit deal in 2019 – and greater than the biggest rebellions faced by David Cameron, Sir John Major and Margaret Thatcher
The mutiny suffered by Mr Johnson was close to the record insurrection that hammered Theresa May’s Brexit deal in 2019 – and greater than the biggest rebellions faced by David Cameron, Sir John Major and Margaret Thatcher.
Treisteen members of Parliament have been to Cabinet as ministers under the four premierships, which included Dame Andrea Leadsom (David Davis), Liam Fox, Liam Fox, and Chris Grayling. He won a landslide win in 2019 that saw 26 Tories elected.
Louie French (the newest Tory MP elected in a byelection less that two weeks ago) also voted against the government whip.
If Keir Starmer hadn’t rescued the Government’s 80-strong majority, the numbers would have been enough to wipe them out.
This vote was less than two hours after PM tried to stop the revolt by telling the 1922 Committee of backbenchers he could not help but impose more curbs.
This is a grim week for Johnson, as the Tory struggles to hold on to North Shropshire’s once solid seat in an election tomorrow. The by-election was triggered by Owen Paterson’s resignation in the midst of the sleaze scandal.
Mark Harper, former chief whip and a prominent Covid rebel said that government can’t respond to variants by “immediately entering emergency mode” and claimed the PM had’scared’ people by appearing on television on Sunday night.
“It could be that the government must come before parliament with further measures. He said that despite our argument not to rise on Thursday to celebrate Christmas, ministers may want to present further measures to parliament to show they have listened to the concerns.
Harper advised Mr Johnson to ‘act different’. “Instead of making Sunday’s late-night address and scaring people, a better option would have been for the PM to visit the House of Commons and present in detail his advice, what he expects as a result, and to allow the MPs to pose questions,” he stated.
“What I want is for him change in how he works so parliament can properly be involved.”
Although Mr Shapps acknowledged that Parliament might need to be recalled he stated that he was confident more restrictions will be unnecessary.
BBC Breakfast’s Mr Shapps said that “We’ve put into place” the steps necessary to see the new year through.
Another West Midlands vaccine centre was jammed today on Solihull High Street.
‘If anything was needed, Parliament would be called back to allow for the vote.
“We want everyone to enjoy Christmas this holiday. Our situation is definitely better than last year.
Treasurer of 1922 Committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown said that Mr Johnson will face a challenge to his leadership if he doesn’t change how he works with his MPs.
Former Tory chief whip Mark Harper, a leading rebel and leader of the Tory party said that you can either listen to what is being said and respond differently or ignore it and continue on your way.
Sir Charles Walker was the vice-chairman and said that the rebellion was a party ‘cry for pain.
BBC News told him that it was a bridge too far. They were clearly putting down a marker. This was the Conservative Party’s cry for help. Boris Johnson is now in an extremely difficult place. Within the Conservative Party, there has been strong opposition to vaccine passports and many of their colleagues did not want them introduced.
“This is a very precise line that has been drawn now, and the Prime Minister should listen to his team.”
This message comes from MPs as they are angry about the revelations of parties and gatherings in Downing Street during lockdown restrictions. They also have a longer-held resentment over how the Government handled the standards row involving Owen Paterson, which resulted in Thursday’s byelection.
