Boris Johnson allies warn Tory party is ‘comically ungovernable’ under another leader
Supporters accuse rebels of having no plan to replace the Tory party leader
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Allies of Boris Johnson have risked infuriating Conservatives MPs by claiming the party would be “comically ungovernable” under another leader.
Supporters of the prime minister also hit out at Tory MPs who triggered a vote of no confidence in Mr Johnson, accusing them of lacking a plan to replace him.
The prime minister is due to give a speech to Conservative backbenchers shortly as he fights for his political survival.
Mr Johnson will address a meeting of the powerful 1922 committee in Westminster, two hours before MPs start voting on his future.
Former Tory leadership candidate Jeremy Hunt has become the latest MP to say he should go over the partygate scandal.
No confidence vote: Everything you need to know about the challenge to Boris Johnson’s leadership
Phones to be taken from Tory MPs before no-confidence vote to stop them breaking ‘no photos’ rule
What time is the no-confidence vote in Boris Johnson today?
What the latest opinion polls show about the Conservatives and Boris Johnson
As the calls mounted today, John Penrose, the prime minister’s anti-corruption champion, resigned and announced he would vote against Mr Johnson, claiming the Tory leader had broke the ministerial code over Partygate.
Many Tory MPs warn the party cannot continue with Mr Johnson as leader, arguing he has lost the trust of the British public following the revelations that a host of parties were held in Downing Street while the rest of the country was under Covid restrictions.
But allies of the prime minister argue he is still the best person to lead and unite the party.
One said: “I fear that what would happen is that the party would become comically ungovernable [without Mr Johnson].”
Another hit out at rebels they said were trying to oust the prime minister without a plan for who would replace him.
“They want to try to knit the parachute on the way down… that just doesn’t work,” they said.
They rejected the idea that the party had been in a similar situation four years ago when MPs held a confidence vote in then-prime minister Theresa May. That had been a very different prospect, they said.
“When Theresa May left everyone knew we would get Boris and that the party and the country loved him. Now there is no plan.”
The confidence vote comes just a day after a dossier setting out Mr Johnson’s failings spread among Tory MPs.
The paper, entitled Party Leadership, warned that the solution to “end this misery” was to remove Mr Johnson, who it described as “no longer an electoral asset”, from office.
The Conservatives faces two big electoral tests later this month, in by-elections in different parts of England.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments