Johnson's intervention was, as ever, mainly about himself

Boris Johnson’s surprise last-minute appearance at a Conservative election rally in London was not a sign of the party’s strength or unity, but a reminder of its weakness, divisions and sheer desperation.

- ANDREW GRICE

The Tories, who could once claim the mantle of the “natural party of government”, are fighting to ensure that they, rather than the Liberal Democrats, become the opposition. They are so desperate that, for the past week, they have stopped talking about their own offer – all they have left is to warn people about a Labour “supermajority” in the hope of preventing one.

Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, plumbed new depths yesterday with a ludicrous claim that Labour’s majority could be bigger than the 492 won by the coalition national government in 1931.

Rishi Sunak pressed the panic button by turning to the man who won a majority of 80 in 2019 and thought he had won himself 10 years in Downing Street. After tense negotiations between their two camps, Johnson insisted he would appear at an event only if Sunak pleaded with him personally.

Johnson still blames Sunak for his downfall. Wrongly: I believe Sunak resigned as chancellor because he could not stomach Johnson’s casual relationship with the rules and the truth any longer. The architect of Johnson’s demise was himself.

Johnson declined to appear at the rally at the same time as Sunak, who spoke after him – and, embarrassingly, got a much less ecstatic response from the Tory activists, who cried: “Boris! Boris! Boris!” It merely reminded us that they have never felt the same about Sunak. “He made Sunak look like his research assistant,” one Labour wag told me.

Sunak’s claim that Johnson’s appearance showed that “our Conservative family” is “united” was stretching it. There was no pretence of unity with a handshake or slap on the back, and

“unfinished business” at Downing Street. He sees himself as the only one who can save the Tories from Farage.