Posted on 01/20/2022 1:14:04 AM PST by RandFan
Conservative MPs are starting to "step back" and think twice about a leadership challenge against Boris Johnson, a minister has said.
Conor Burns - a minister and long-term ally of the PM - said colleagues were now choosing to wait for the report into the No 10 lockdown parties.
It follows a dramatic day in Westminster with calls for the PM to quit and a Tory MP defecting to Labour.
No 10 has insisted the prime minister will fight any leadership challenge.
Mr Johnson has come in for severe criticism since admitting he attended a garden party held by No 10 staff in the Downing Street garden during the May 2020 lockdown.
On Wednesday, Tory grandee David Davis joined those calling for Mr Johnson to quit, telling him: "In the name of God, go." And backbench Tory MP Christian Wakeford defected to Labour, describing the PM as incapable of leading.
So far six Conservative MPs have publicly declared no confidence in the PM, but more are thought to have submitted letters to Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the backbench 1922 committee, who organises Tory leadership contests.
There are claims that the threshold of 54 letters needed to trigger a no-confidence vote and leadership election could soon be reached, but no official word has been given.
However, some Conservatives have told the BBC the mood has changed, following the defection of Mr Wakeford.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Ah, sorry my brain must not be fully caught up with ‘22!
I blame them both—and many more.
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