By-election news - live: PM loses backing of more Tory MPs after disastrous defeats
Senior Tory MP says PM’s fall from power ‘is now a question of when, not if’
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox
Get our free View from Westminster email
Boris Johnson’s support among Tory MPs has ebbed to an all-time low after the Conservatives suffered two crushing by-election losses on Thursday.
Following the double defeats in Tiverton and Wakefield, one senior Conservative MP, who backed Mr Johnson in the no-confidence vote earlier this month, told The Independent that they had now changed their mind.
“I voted for Boris last time but I just can’t see any way out of it for him right now,” they said.
“It is now a question of when, not if. The public have made up their minds. We got it wrong in hanging on to John Major in the nineties and we can’t get it wrong a second time with Johnson.”
The former Tory leader Michael Howard has also urged Mr Johnson to step down, while a cabinet minister admitted that “the mood has shifted”.
Their statements came after the Tory party chairman Oliver Dowden resigned, citing the “disappointment” of the public over the Partygate scandal. “Someone must take responsibility,” he said.
Counting now underway at the Tiverton and Honiton by-election
Counting of votes is now underway at the Tiverton and Honiton by-election, officials have confirmed.
Counters have spent the past three hours verifying the ballots and now move on to counting them.
Over in Wakefield, the media room has been told that a result is expected at around 4am.
Case says he had talks about roles for Carrie Johnson
Simon Case has admitted that he had “an informal conversation” with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s charity about potential “opportunities” for Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie.
The Cabinet secretary revealed that in 2020 he was prompted by a now-former member of the team at No 10 to ask the Royal Foundation about a position at the Earthshot prize for Mr Johnson’s then-fiance.
But Mr Case – who has close links to the Duke of Cambridge, being his former private secretary – insisted that he had not endorsed her for any paid work.
Read the full story here
Simon Case admits he had ‘informal’ talks with charity about roles for Carrie Johnson
Cabinet secretary insists he did not endorse PM’s wife for any paid work
Voter turnout at Tiverton and Honiton by-election is 52.3 percent
Turnout in the Tiverton and Honiton by-election was 52.3 percent - a total of 42,707 votes, council officials have said.
Labour in Wakefield: ‘Early signs very positive'
A Labour source on the ground in Wakefield said: “The early signs are very positive and suggest that lifelong Tory voters and those we lost in 2019 are voting Labour – showing the progress we’ve made.”
The turnout figures at the Tiverton and Honiton by-election are expected soon and verification of the votes is due to end shortly.
Turnout is predicted to be higher than 52 percent, according to Mid Devon council.
Things are looking positive for the Liberal Democrats, with their treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine MP saying that there are “some good signs” in Tiverton.
Pictured: Votes are verified at the Tiverton and Honiton by-election count
Wakefield turnout down 25% on 2019 general election
Turnout in the Wakefield by-election was 39.09 per cent, Wakefield Council said.
Some 27,205 verified ballots were cast out of a total electorate of 69,601.
The turnout in the 2019 general election was 64.15 per cent.
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