Back Him Or Sack Him? Tensions Rise With Mood ‘Toxic', But Tories Put On A Brave Face

Parliament is full of people putting on a brave face. Ministers and friends of Boris Johnson beam with confidence as they proclaim the prime minister is safe, and his popularity will quickly rise when Covid restrictions are lifted and the Downing Street party scandal dies down.

- Aubrey Allegretti

Conservatives pushing for his removal say with equal certainty and a knowing grin that it is “the end” and the number of no-confidence letters is climbing speedily, with 54 required to trigger a vote. As one sped offdown a corridor this week, they winked and said: “Karma’s a bitch, isn’t it?”

After what was expected to be a difficult weekend for Tory MPs facing the wrath of their associations and constituents, some returned to Westminster reporting the mood music was “absolutely toxic” while others were surprisingly upbeat. The lack of fresh party allegations or further evidence that Johnson personally broke the law inspired some to hope the temperature was “settling”, a minister reflected. But the mood around parliament remains fraught amid rising tensions between backbenchers and government.

Tory MPs face questions from nervous colleagues over whether they are in favour of backing or sacking Johnson. Many are holding offon deciding until the report by civil servant Sue Gray surfaces. Some backbenchers admitted to having written their no-confidence letter – but said they were waiting until Gray’s report is published before dispatching it.