It's barely 2.5 years since the GE, which he won handsomely. Covid disrupted his intended plans, but also meant 'normal' politics was more or less suspended.
How the heck has he gotten himself in a position where a majority of backbenchers and now many in the Cabinet want him out? No one who wins that big should make themselves so vulnerable.
It's worse than that: a year ago the Conservatives were well ahead of Labour. The blows that have laid him low were totally self-inflicted, and also the sort of stuff that got him in trouble *before* he became PM.
The only surprising this about his fall is people's evident surprise that it happened this way. The Garden Bridge debacle showed many of the same character flaws that have led him to this position.
Handed a 20% lead, and delivered a catastrophe. I'm sure his publishers can handle it.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Johnson is not Thatcher.
He's a corrupt twat who has no compunction about burning the Conservative Party to the ground, in order to cling to office a few days longer.
He has no loyalty to the Conservative Party, and they should have none to him.
This is the real problem for the party now imho. Thatcher DID step aside and that meant John Major could go on to win, famously, in 1992 with the largest vote by any party in British history. I mention that last bit for HY's benefit.
So does Johnson drag down the party now? Or give them at least a fighting chance at the next GE?
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Maybe by then you will have learned to put the country’s health and prosperity ahead of your party’s narrow and petty political obsessions?
I am a conservative because I believe Toryism is in the country's best interests, you aren't because you don't.
The Conservatives won a majority of 80 in 2019 under Boris with a 5 year mandate, you didn't, tough
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Oh, I think it's very likely that the Conservatives will be very, very unpopular for a long time. But you're putting the blame in the wrong place. It's Boris who has wrecked the party, and it's going to take a very long time for it to be forgotten. As I wrote on the day he became leader:
The party is no longer recognisable as the pragmatic, business-friendly, economically-sound, reality-based party of government which I have supported for decades. It will justifiably get the electoral blame for the consequences of the disastrous course it has chosen, and will probably never be forgiven by younger voters.
What's more important is that the next PM inherits a lot of power with a 74 seat majority. More than enough to implement policies that might bring them back into play. Labour must be praying for a miracle right now.
Can a new PM deal with cost of living and other problems? It is far from clear they could - Labour will have plenty to work with, even if not as much as if Boris was there. And those recent Con converts who were wavering might respond not with relief the reason for wavering is gone, but by thinking it is a good moment to return 'home' to Labour properly.
Truss, Patel, Wallace, Kwarteng declare loyalty. Bonkers. He'll try to hold on if it's only two.
Why would Truss in particular do that? Clearly she wants to be leader, if she sticks with Boris she might be leader in 3-4 years, but where you only need a Lib Dem sized taxi for all your MPs.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Maybe by then you will have learned to put the country’s health and prosperity ahead of your party’s narrow and petty political obsessions?
I am a conservative because I believe Toryism is in the country's best interests, you aren't because you don't.
The Conservatives won a majority of 80 in 2019 under Boris with a 5 year mandate, you didn't, tough
That presumes a remarkable conception of Toryism and conservatism.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Johnson is not Thatcher.
He's a corrupt twat who has no compunction about burning the Conservative Party to the ground, in order to cling to office a few days longer.
He has no loyalty to the Conservative Party, and they should have none to him.
I expect a similar result though. Johnson whatever you think of him was the most charismatic Tory leader and biggest election winner since Thatcher. Whatever the outcome over the next few years the Tory Party is now likely heading for years in opposition
He’s the only one I give a (temporary) pass to, given the need for a bit of stability in MOD. He needs to leak he would resign if he felt he could though.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Johnson is not Thatcher.
He's a corrupt twat who has no compunction about burning the Conservative Party to the ground, in order to cling to office a few days longer.
He has no loyalty to the Conservative Party, and they should have none to him.
This is the real problem for the party now imho. Thatcher DID step aside and that meant John Major could go on to win, famously, in 1992 with the largest vote by any party in British history. I mention that last bit for HY's benefit.
So does Johnson drag down the party now? Or give them at least a fighting chance at the next GE?
I think the dam has burst with Pincher. As pointed out above, every one of Johnson's errors was unforced. It's almost as if he has decided wilfully to embarrass his MPs for shits and giggles.
It's barely 2.5 years since the GE, which he won handsomely. Covid disrupted his intended plans, but also meant 'normal' politics was more or less suspended.
How the heck has he gotten himself in a position where a majority of backbenchers and now many in the Cabinet want him out? No one who wins that big should make themselves so vulnerable.
It's worse than that: a year ago the Conservatives were well ahead of Labour. The blows that have laid him low were totally self-inflicted, and also the sort of stuff that got him in trouble *before* he became PM.
The only surprising this about his fall is people's evident surprise that it happened this way. The Garden Bridge debacle showed many of the same character flaws that have led him to this position.
Handed a 20% lead, and delivered a catastrophe. I'm sure his publishers can handle it.
Rot set in with the Paterson saga, IIRC.
Paterson - bad judgement; Peppa Pig - incompetence
Truss, Patel, Wallace, Kwarteng declare loyalty. Bonkers. He'll try to hold on if it's only two.
Why would Truss in particular do that? Clearly she wants to be leader, if she sticks with Boris she might be leader in 3-4 years, but where you only need a Lib Dem sized taxi for all your MPs.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Maybe by then you will have learned to put the country’s health and prosperity ahead of your party’s narrow and petty political obsessions?
I am a conservative because I believe Toryism is in the country's best interests, you aren't because you don't.
The Conservatives won a majority of 80 in 2019 under Boris with a 5 year mandate, you didn't, tough
Surely the Tories secured a mandate for the party to govern for 5 years, with the public trusting the party to decide who should lead them? At the time it was Boris, would not the public trust the party if it decides someone else should?
You are a proudly loyal Tory - if the party decides they do not think Boris is the right man to be PM, is that not the correct decision by definition? Who are we to gainsay the party?
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Johnson is not Thatcher.
He's a corrupt twat who has no compunction about burning the Conservative Party to the ground, in order to cling to office a few days longer.
He has no loyalty to the Conservative Party, and they should have none to him.
I expect a similar result though. Johnson whatever you think of him was the most charismatic Tory leader and biggest election winner since Thatcher. Whatever the outcome over the next few years the Tory Party is now likely heading for years in opposition
At least the Conservatives can choose someone who doesn't get a kick out of humiliating them.
The opposite, in 1990 when Thatcher was toppled it was Thatcher relative loyalist Major who succeeded her, not the assassin Heseltine
That's really because Heseltine was not massively popular with large sections of the party, who didn't trust him and in particular didn't like his europhile and left-of-centre views in certain areas.
Major of course famously had a toothache when the call came from No. 10. Glorious skullduggery.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Johnson is not Thatcher.
He's a corrupt twat who has no compunction about burning the Conservative Party to the ground, in order to cling to office a few days longer.
He has no loyalty to the Conservative Party, and they should have none to him.
This is the real problem for the party now imho. Thatcher DID step aside and that meant John Major could go on to win, famously, in 1992 with the largest vote by any party in British history. I mention that last bit for HY's benefit.
So does Johnson drag down the party now? Or give them at least a fighting chance at the next GE?
I think the dam has burst with Pincher. As pointed out above, every one of Johnson's errors was unforced. It's almost as if he has decided wilfully to embarrass his MPs for shits and giggles.
The unforced thing is really important. There's only so much that can be done with the economy or inflation, particularly if you have been in power 12 years, but Paterson, Pincher etc? Whether someone was outraged by those events or not they were completely unnecessary scandals.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
That even now you don't get it speaks a lot about your own values.
It isn't just about "he won an election". You're supposed to be a Christian. Which means you are supposed to have a deep-rooted understanding of right and wrong. So why don't you?
I’d suggest that committed Christians are the last people to actually demonstrate, through their actions, that they have the slightest conception of right and wrong.
Just seen on Skynews Mad Nad arriving in Downing street....
OMG
I reckon she goes to Health, she's a former nurse and Health Minister.
At least she knows what a hospital is and who controls it unlike her lack of understanding regarding C4, the BBC and everything / anything else to do with Media and Culture.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Oh, I think it's very likely that the Conservatives will be very, very unpopular for a long time. But you're putting the blame in the wrong place. It's Boris who has wrecked the party, and it's going to take a very long time for it to be forgotten. As I wrote on the day he became leader:
The party is no longer recognisable as the pragmatic, business-friendly, economically-sound, reality-based party of government which I have supported for decades. It will justifiably get the electoral blame for the consequences of the disastrous course it has chosen, and will probably never be forgiven by younger voters.
The Tory Party is not just the political wing of the CBI and the City of London. It also has to reach working class and lower middle class voters to win, Thatcher managed to do so as did Boris
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Oh, I think it's very likely that the Conservatives will be very, very unpopular for a long time. But you're putting the blame in the wrong place. It's Boris who has wrecked the party, and it's going to take a very long time for it to be forgotten. As I wrote on the day he became leader:
The party is no longer recognisable as the pragmatic, business-friendly, economically-sound, reality-based party of government which I have supported for decades. It will justifiably get the electoral blame for the consequences of the disastrous course it has chosen, and will probably never be forgiven by younger voters.
The Tory Party is not just the political wing of the CBI and the City of London. It also has to reach working class and lower middle class voters to win, Thatcher managed to do so as did Boris
Unless they have the votes amongst Tory MPs to remove him he will, he is as stubborn as Corbyn and Trump and will just appoint a new Health Secretary and Chancellor
Not a chance
When will you accept it is over for Johnson
When he either resigns or loses a VONC
This is a betting site. You are supposed to see things coming.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Johnson is not Thatcher.
He's a corrupt twat who has no compunction about burning the Conservative Party to the ground, in order to cling to office a few days longer.
He has no loyalty to the Conservative Party, and they should have none to him.
This is the real problem for the party now imho. Thatcher DID step aside and that meant John Major could go on to win, famously, in 1992 with the largest vote by any party in British history. I mention that last bit for HY's benefit.
So does Johnson drag down the party now? Or give them at least a fighting chance at the next GE?
Major also then led the Tories to their worst landslide defeat since 1832 in 1997 however and the bitterness of Thatcher's toppling helped wreck his government and keep the Tories in opposition for a decade
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Oh, I think it's very likely that the Conservatives will be very, very unpopular for a long time. But you're putting the blame in the wrong place. It's Boris who has wrecked the party, and it's going to take a very long time for it to be forgotten. As I wrote on the day he became leader:
The party is no longer recognisable as the pragmatic, business-friendly, economically-sound, reality-based party of government which I have supported for decades. It will justifiably get the electoral blame for the consequences of the disastrous course it has chosen, and will probably never be forgiven by younger voters.
The Tory Party is not just the political wing of the CBI and the City of London. It also has to reach working class and lower middle class voters to win, Thatcher managed to do so as did Boris
Yes, he managed to con them temporarily. The reaction as they realise they've been conned - which most of them now have realised - won't be helpful to the future of the party.
So we could get two Geoffrey Howe moments tomorrow before PMQs? I'm not sure that they have it in them, but if they think he's trying to cling on ... they could.
That was such a brilliant speech at the time. The cricket bat metaphor: a Bazball moment.
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Johnson is not Thatcher.
He's a corrupt twat who has no compunction about burning the Conservative Party to the ground, in order to cling to office a few days longer.
He has no loyalty to the Conservative Party, and they should have none to him.
This is the real problem for the party now imho. Thatcher DID step aside and that meant John Major could go on to win, famously, in 1992 with the largest vote by any party in British history. I mention that last bit for HY's benefit.
So does Johnson drag down the party now? Or give them at least a fighting chance at the next GE?
I think the dam has burst with Pincher. As pointed out above, every one of Johnson's errors was unforced. It's almost as if he has decided wilfully to embarrass his MPs for shits and giggles.
The unforced thing is really important. There's only so much that can be done with the economy or inflation, particularly if you have been in power 12 years, but Paterson, Piuncher etc? Whether someone was outraged by those events or not they were completely unnecessary scandals.
The public are very forgiving about issues that are largely outside of the control of the government. They don't forgive political leaders who simply embark on a spree, to see what they can get away with.
Some in No 10 braced for further ministerial resignations. Tory allies of the PM feeling inevitability, this could be the end. Many not as bullish as they have been at previous crisis moments. https://twitter.com/breeallegretti/status/1544375511018774534
Truss, Patel, Wallace, Kwarteng declare loyalty. Bonkers. He'll try to hold on if it's only two.
So the Foreign Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Business Secretary and the Defence Secretary and Raab as Deputy PM all now declared loyalty to Johnson. That is most of the remaining big hitters in Cabinet even if Zahawi joins Sunak and Javid and goes
(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges · 3m Boris is going to be forced from office because he tried to cover for a man guilty of sexual harassment. Cabinet Ministers contemplating statements of loyalty should reflect on that.
The worst possible result for everyone in the UK is that Boris stays on, bleeding out in Number 10
Enough! Get rid! And I am a Leaver that liked Boris
You only like him because he jumped from remain to leave just before you did. Despite hating Johnson as I do, he can at least be credited with knowing that Brexit would be a mistake when he backed it.
Johnson undone on the Chancellor question. Who can he appoint? Who'll take it? Nadine? He can't reshuffle in any confidence. No idea who'll resign next. He's trapped. Markets watching. Game over. https://twitter.com/iainmartin1/status/1544376698820595715
Looks like the end. What the hell took them so long? It's not as though we've learnt anything about Boris this week that we didn't know last month, or last year, or in 2019 when he was chosen as leader.
Still, it's progress. Getting rid of him is the necessary first stage - but only the first stage - of putting things right.
Yes, back to opposition, probably for at least a decade if not more.
Last time the Tories toppled an election winning PM, Thatcher in 1990, they lost 3 out of 4 of the following general elections and it took them until Boris in 2019 to win a big majority again
Oh, I think it's very likely that the Conservatives will be very, very unpopular for a long time. But you're putting the blame in the wrong place. It's Boris who has wrecked the party, and it's going to take a very long time for it to be forgotten. As I wrote on the day he became leader:
The party is no longer recognisable as the pragmatic, business-friendly, economically-sound, reality-based party of government which I have supported for decades. It will justifiably get the electoral blame for the consequences of the disastrous course it has chosen, and will probably never be forgiven by younger voters.
The Tory Party is not just the political wing of the CBI and the City of London. It also has to reach working class and lower middle class voters to win, Thatcher managed to do so as did Boris
Apart from everything else, Boris is a clear and present danger to the Union. He is total anti-catnip to Scots, and the SNP use him as a recruiting tool, and they mentioned him by name when announcing "Sindyref" 2. One person who will be really praying he survives is Sturgeon
So we could get two Geoffrey Howe moments tomorrow before PMQs? I'm not sure that they have it in them, but if they think he's trying to cling on ... they could.
That was such a brilliant speech at the time. The cricket bat metaphor: a Bazball moment.
Comments
So does Johnson drag down the party now? Or give them at least a fighting chance at the next GE?
But a very good evening to you young dancer.
The Conservatives won a majority of 80 in 2019 under Boris with a 5 year mandate, you didn't, tough
https://twitter.com/hoffman_noa/status/1544374620949733378
Bah!
The party is no longer recognisable as the pragmatic, business-friendly, economically-sound, reality-based party of government which I have supported for decades. It will justifiably get the electoral blame for the consequences of the disastrous course it has chosen, and will probably never be forgiven by younger voters.
https://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2019/07/24/why-ive-resigned-from-the-conservative-party/
Resigning after I got my £150 this morning.
Most considerate.
The division of subject matter reeks of orchestration
Please.
OMG
Don't the stayers realise how monumentally stupid they will look? Are they that out of touch?
... good times never felt so good (so GOOD so GOOD)
And what a day to give up smok ... to be in the Lake District for some non digital peace and tran
😄😄😄
That was when the rot set in
With he, Carrie, kid, dog, interior designer-ethics advisor, all housed in circus tent pitched in No. 10 garden?
You are a proudly loyal Tory - if the party decides they do not think Boris is the right man to be PM, is that not the correct decision by definition? Who are we to gainsay the party?
@KevinASchofield
Simon Clarke rumoured to be lined up to be the new Chancellor.
A towering prime minister with a magnificent and unmatched 10-year record behind her, the blessed lady (PBUH) still effing resigned.
Major of course famously had a toothache when the call came from No. 10. Glorious skullduggery.
He has less shame than the devil himself.
Nadine Dorries ‘will have power to censor the internet’
Culture Secretary will be able to direct decisions by Ofcom under Online Safety Bill
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/07/04/new-law-would-allow-nadine-dorries-censor-internet-mps-warn/
May even be the party just puts Sunak as PM and Javid as CoE and gets on with things.
Now is the time to drop your final payload.
That was such a brilliant speech at the time. The cricket bat metaphor: a Bazball moment.
https://twitter.com/breeallegretti/status/1544375511018774534
And one that will not be lost on backbenchers.
(((Dan Hodges)))
@DPJHodges
·
3m
Boris is going to be forced from office because he tried to cover for a man guilty of sexual harassment. Cabinet Ministers contemplating statements of loyalty should reflect on that.
https://twitter.com/lewis_goodall/status/1544375880285290496?s=20&t=5-mbNJH9frI-EpLtMf6CTQ
Johnson undone on the Chancellor question. Who can he appoint? Who'll take it? Nadine? He can't reshuffle in any confidence. No idea who'll resign next. He's trapped. Markets watching. Game over.
https://twitter.com/iainmartin1/status/1544376698820595715
Surely you can see this? You're a unionist