GETTING ON TO GET IT ON WITH BOJO: Brit Rebels Now Have A Cause

Yesterday's skewed vote of confidence adds political ammunition

Conservative leadership

Rebels tell Boris Johnson rules could be changed to allow another challenge

Tobias Ellwood says PM has a lot of work to do, with change of direction needed by October party conference

Jessica Elgot

the Guardian

Rebel Conservatives have given Boris Johnson until the party conference to change direction, saying rules could be altered to allow another challenge, as Dominic Raab called for the “democratic result” of the vote to be respected.

Johnson lost the confidence of 41% of his MPs in a vote on his leadership on Monday night, after weeks of anger over lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and fears the party’s direction is causing a slump at the polls.

The prime minister will attempt to reassert control of the political agenda this week...

Ellwood told Sky News: “A lot of work to be done. A reshuffle is now required: bring in fresh talent, and actually start to focus on the big issues.

“Let’s do things that appeal to the country and not just to our base – more exciting policies than the privatisation of Channel 4 and bringing back imperial measurements, but a real economic strategy that’s actually going to help tackle the cost of living crisis.”

Asked how long he believed Johnson would remain as prime minister, he added: “I think we’re talking a matter of months, up to party conference [at the beginning of October].

 

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The former Tory leader William Hague said Johnson should “turn his mind to getting out” to provide a fresh start for the party. “While Johnson has survived the night, the damage done to his premiership is severe,” he wrote in the Times.

“Words have been said that cannot be retracted, reports published that cannot be erased, and votes have been cast that show a greater level of rejection than any Tory leader has ever endured and survived. Deep inside, he should recognise that, and turn his mind to getting out in a way that spares party and country such agonies and uncertainties.”

 

“This is a government that delivers on what the people of this country care about most,” he will say, citing government achievements on household support and recruitment of police officers.

“Today, I pledge to continue delivering on these priorities. We are on the side of hard-working British people, and we are going to get on with the job.”