Johnson 1) PM’s allies brand Tory rebels ‘narcissists’
“Boris Johnson’s allies have accused those plotting to oust him of being “self-indulgent, narcissistic and contemptuous” amid growing concern in government about the risk of a confidence vote in the prime minister. Johnson is said to be increasingly frustrated with Tory MPs who are openly plotting to remove him after a critical report into Downing Street parties. A total of 30 Tory MPs have now called for him to go and a further 18 have publicly criticised him. Tory rebels believe they could have the numbers for a confidence vote next week, although whips think it could take longer. Some cabinet ministers privately want Johnson to “force the issue” by holding a vote before two by-elections on June 23 to limit the number of Tory MPs who are willing to oppose him. Johnson believes that he will win any confidence vote. A cabinet minister said: “He doesn’t care whether he wins by 100 or 10. He will plough on.” – The Times
- Ethics watchdog says PM has failed to allay fears he is above the rules – The Guardian
- Johnson suffers further Tory criticism of his leadership – FT
Comment
- Like a frenzied gameshow contestant, Johnson leaps over every obstacle – Martha Gill, The Guardian
- Being PM’s ethics adviser: the impossible job – Editorial, The Guardian
- Tories take an unconservative approach to conservatism – Robert Shrimsley, FT
>Today:
>Yesterday:
- ToryDiary: Johnson has the power to call an election, but he would be mad to do it
- Comment: Andrew RT Davies: As the cost of living bites, Conservatives must take the fight to Labour, not each other
Johnson 2) Wright knighted in birthday honours, as Miller made a dame
“The Conservative former attorney general Jeremy Wright, who this week called on Boris Johnson to resign, becomes a knight in the birthday honours list… Wright, the MP for Kenilworth and Southam, is honoured for political service which, according to the citation, “helped the government steer through many thorny issues”, including Brexit. The announcement comes after he published a lengthy statement on Monday on his personal website saying the Partygate scandal was likely to cause “real and lasting damage” to the government’s reputation, and concluded “with regret” that Johnson should resign. Among other political figures recognised are the former minister and Conservative MP for Basingstoke, Maria Miller, who is made a dame.” – The Guardian
Other Queen’s honours
- Crouch made CBE – KentOnline
- Skidmore given OBE – Independent
- ConHome contributor Raghib Ali gains OBE – Independent
Johnson 3) PM ‘puts Cabinet reshuffle on ice as partygate revolt grows
“Boris Johnson has delayed plans for a summer Cabinet reshuffle as he battles a growing Tory backbench revolt and seeks to keep ministers onside. The Prime Minister had told colleagues he was planning a shake-up after the May local elections, which saw Labour and the Liberal Democrats take scores of council seats from the Tories. However, the plans are on hold after the publication of Sue Gray’s partygate report and fresh calls for his resignation from around a dozen Tory MPs. One member of Mr Johnson’s inner circle told The Telegraph that July was now the earliest point at which a reshuffle would take place.” – Daily Telegraph
Johnson 4) Patel tells rebels to ‘forget it’
“Home Secretary Priti Patel told plotters attempting to remove Boris Johnson to ‘forget it’ as she led Cabinet ministers in rallying around the PM. She warned Tory MPs that voters will not forgive the party if it descends into civil war instead of tackling issues such as the cost of living crisis. In an interview with the Daily Mail, she denounced those writing no confidence letters as creating a ‘sideshow’ rather than finding solutions. Her outspoken intervention came as Cabinet ministers yesterday dismissed suggestions Mr Johnson could face a confidence vote from Tory MPs next week following the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries warned a challenge would be an ‘indulgence’ as she accused plotters of doing Labour’s work for them. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said the ‘vast majority’ of Tories want Mr Johnson to ‘get on with the job’ as he rejected claims the rebels have the numbers to remove him.” – Daily Mail
- Tory MPs trying to oust Johnson are going against the public, says Raab – The Sun
Johnson 5) May’s chief of staff says PM could be doomed
“Theresa May’s former chief of staff has warned there is “zero evidence” that Boris Johnson can regain the public’s trust even if he were to win in a vote of confidence among Tory MPs. Expectations are rising that Johnson will face a vote on his leadership in the wake of the parties scandal and the Sue Gray report. Lord Barwell, who was in No 10 when May faced her own challenges to her leadership, said that if Johnson were to “narrowly win”, it would be the “worst outcome for the Conservative Party”. The prime minister said yesterday that it would be irresponsible for him to resign but nearly 50 Conservative MPs have now publicly criticised him. Thirty have called for a confidence vote and another 18 have censured Johnson over his conduct.” – The Times
Comment
- PM’s flaws are hurting voters and that’s fatal – Iain Martin, The Times
- Dire straits – Editorial, The Times
Johnson 6) Mordaunt emerging as potential ‘unity’ candidate
“Penny Mordaunt has emerged as a potential “unity” candidate to take over as Prime Minister if Boris Johnson is ousted by Conservatives. Several Tories told i the Trade Minister was a genuine contender with “real strength” and “massive traction in the party”. Their comments came as rebels seek to answer critics who claim they are moving to oust Mr Johnson despite having no plan for an alternative leader to take over. The lack of an obvious frontrunner since Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s poll ratings tumbled following a nightmare Spring is believed to be one of the main reasons Tory MPs have not yet removed the Prime Minister from office. But one insider said Ms Mordaunt was a genuine candidate, having remained popular despite being shackled by the Prime Minister in relatively minor roles, despite previously serving in the Cabinet as Defence Secretary and Development Secretary. ” – the i
Johnson 7) Red wall Tory attacks ‘rotten core’ at heart of No 10
“A Conservative MP in a ‘red wall’ seat has attacked the government’s “rotten core” as backbenchers in northern England become increasingly pivotal in Boris Johnson’s battle to stay in No 10. Simon Fell, who won Barrow & Furness from Labour in 2019, told his constituents that he had been “left feeling angry and disappointed” by Sue Gray’s report into lockdown-breaking parties. In a letter to a constituent, Fell said that there was a “corrosive culture” in No 10 that was “beyond the pale”, adding that Johnson’s apology was “insufficient”. Fell said: “It beggars belief that when the government was doing so much to help people during the pandemic, a rotten core with an unacceptable culture carried on regardless of the restrictions placed on the rest of us.” – The Times
- Tory MPs hold back from move against Johnson over fear of reprisals – The Guardian
Johnson 8) Henry Hill: The case for an immediate Tory leadership contest is strong
“As things stand, it looks more likely than not that Sir Graham Brady is going to receive sufficient letters to trigger a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party. That doesn’t mean the rebels are likely to win, at least not yet. They seem very much to be crawling rather than marching towards the starting line, with individual MPs emerging from their foxholes to send their letters unescorted by any central command. Even in the current dire circumstances, MPs’ hesitancy is understandable. Since Rishi Sunak hit the rocks the party has no dauphin, an heir apparent around whom the disaffected can rally and whose Commons machine can energise and coordinate the revolt. Nor has anyone yet emerged with a clear, let alone exciting, vision of what a Conservative government with a large majority should mean for the country. And yet, ironically, it’s that fact – the lack of vision – which is one of the reasons why such a contest before the next election might be a good idea.” – Daily Telegraph
PM promises to cut costs of childcare
“Boris Johnson is hoping to ease the cost of childcare by allowing parents to use £2,000 a year of government funding on football clubs and gymnastics classes. Parents can claim as much as £500 every three months towards the cost of holiday clubs, schemes that run before and after school, as well as childminders and nurseries. However, the money, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year, can only be used through approved providers. The prime minister suggested in an interview with Mumsnet that he would look to cut the red tape that prevents more types of childcare providers from signing up to the scheme. Johnson said about a million parents on incomes under £100,000 a year were not taking advantage of the scheme, which he said was “disappointingly low”.” – The Times
Truss eyes oligarch assets to rebuild Ukraine
“Ministers are drawing up plans to seize billions of pounds in frozen oligarch assets including property and cash and use them to help to rebuild Ukraine. The National Security Council has held discussions about whether the government can do more with the personal wealth of sanctioned oligarchs. Liz Truss, the foreign secretary, is said to be an advocate of plans to seize their wealth and the Home Office is said to be considering legislation. The government wants to use the oligarchs’ wealth, which is estimated at £10 billion, to fund a “Marshall plan” to rebuild Ukraine. There is an active discussion about whether the money could also go towards providing Ukraine with more weapons.” – The Times
Business leaders and unions call for permanent holiday
“Boris Johnson is facing calls from business leaders, leading broadcasters and charity heads to make tomorrow’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday permanent to recognise “community and service in all its forms”. The signatories of the open letter include Tony Danker, director-general of the CBI, Sir Peter Bazalgette, the chairman of ITV, General Lord Dannatt, a former head of the army, and leading unions. They say in the letter: “As we start a weekend of unprecedented national celebrations we write as a group of leaders from across businesses, charities, trade unions and the arts to urge the government to help maintain this spirit of community in the years to come.” – The Times
Tom Harris: Labour’s patriotism must be sincere if it is ever to win again
“Once again, Sir Keir Starmer has shown his political instincts are sound, by writing in today’s Telegraph that patriotism is a good thing and that Brits have a “patriotic duty” to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee this weekend. That he feels obliged to say this at all says much about Labour’s recent history, and how, under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, the party wandered grotesquely from its traditional values of devotion to the country and loyalty to the monarchy. Starmer understands the damage this did to Labour’s electability, and now takes every opportunity to try to repair the harm done by the previous regime. And yet, the blame shouldn’t be placed entirely at Corbyn’s door.” – Daily Telegraph
- From PM’s son to £700m business and an MBE – The Guardian
News in Brief
- Why the cabinet, not Tory rebels, holds the key to ending Johnson’s premiership – Philip Collins, New Statesman
- Critics of the new ministerial code should focus on what matters – Tim Durrant, Prospect
- Britain has made great progress in the Queen’s 70-year reign – but there is no room for complacency – Rakib Ehsan, CapX
- Biden’s Ukraine policy should bolster the Western alliance – James Forsyth, The Spectator
- Odesa is at war with itself – David Patrikarakos, UnHerd