Johnson looks to stay PM ‘until mid-2030s’ despite calls to resign

BORIS JOHNSON has claimed he is making plans for three terms in Downing Street, meaning he would remain Prime Minister until the mid-2030s.

The Prime Minister told reporters in Kigali that he would lead the Conservatives into the next election, expected to take place in 2024. Asked if he would serve a full second term to 2029, Mr Johnson said: “At the moment I am thinking actively about the third term and, you know, what could happen then. But I will review that when I get to it.” Asked to clarify his remarks, he added: “This is the mid-2030s”.

The Prime Minister also appeared to blame Tory rebels for the party’s byelection defeats, saying voters are “fed up” with hearing how he “stuffed up”.

He said he “respectfully” urges Conservative MPs to concentrate on debating policies and plans that will tackle the cost-of-living crisis and improve people’s lives.

Speaking in Kigali, the Rwandan capital where he is attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, he said the “endless” scrutiny of his character is “driving people nuts”.

He made the remarks in the wake of the Liberal Democrats claiming Tiverton and Honiton and Labour regaining Wakefield. No government has suffered two by-election losses in a single day since 1991. Moments after the results were announced, Oliver Dowden, the Tory chairman, quit.

Asked whether he would listen if the Tory men in grey suits sought his resignation, he said: “I love my colleagues and I will always.”

But Mr Johnson added: “I would urge them respectfully to – golden rule of politics, Johnson’s rule Number One – focus. The more we talk about Westminster politics, the more irritating it is to voters. What they want is interesting argument about plans about how to take the country forward.

“They were very interested and excited about a new direction under Brexit. They want to hear about what we are doing to develop that.”

Mr Johnson has faced fresh calls to resign, with Lord Hague warning of electoral “disaster” and urging Cabinet ministers to consider their positions.