Boris is ‘running out of time and friends’
FORMER ALLY TURNS ON PM
AN MP who used to be a close ally of Boris Johnson has claimed the Prime Minister is “running out of time and out of friends”.
Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, said Mr Johnson’s handling of the pandemic had brought with it anger from the backbenches.
Earlier this month, he voted against all of the Plan B measures to cope with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, on a night in which Mr Johnson suffered a huge rebellion by his MPS.
However, it appears Mr Bridgen’s criticism of his boss goes much further after he claimed before Christmas he was running out of time and out of friends to “deliver on the promises and discipline of a true Conservative Government”.
Mr Bridgen was previously a fervent backer of the Prime Minister, calling him “charismatic” and someone who would “unite the whole country”.
Before entering 10 Downing Street, Mr Johnson’s ties with Mr Bridgen were seen when he came to Ashby in the last few hours of campaigning for the 2016 EU referendum to push for Brexit. However,
this now seems to be a thing of the past, with Mr Bridgen becoming more outspoken against the Prime Minister in recent times.
The resignation of Brexit minister Lord Frost – which saw him criticise the Government’s direction of travel – prompted further concerns about Mr Johnson’s leadership.
A leaked Conservative group Whatsapp conversation revealed the inner turmoil within the Tory party, with Mr Bridgen saying the resignation was a “disaster”.
The Mail on Sunday newspaper also said Lord Frost had become disillusioned by tax rises and the cost of net zero policies.
Mr Bridgen has previously turned against Mr Johnson’s predecessors David Cameron and Theresa May, with his latest words seemingly implying the current Prime Minister is on borrowed time, too.
At the time of the Conservatives’ shock defeat in the North Shropshire by-election, Mr Bridgen warned Mr Johnson he was “running out of time and out of friends to deliver on the promises and discipline of a true Conservative Government”. He tweeted: “Lord Frost has made it clear, 100 Conservative backbenchers have made it clear, but most importantly so did the people of North Shropshire.”