LETTERS to the EDITOR
Boris Johnson should put his country first – and leave Downing Street without delay
SIR – Throughout his premiership Boris Johnson promised things, only to disappoint the electorate. His statement on Thursday that he would step down, followed by the news that he intends to stay on until the autumn, conformed to this pattern.
How much more harm will he wreak upon the nation and his party before he finally leaves Downing Street?
Dr Richard A E Grove
Isle of Whithorn, Wigtownshire
SIR – It was a nice civilised gesture on the part of William Hague in 1998 to give the Tory constituency parties, with many tens of thousands of members, a say in leadership elections.
But there is now a great urgency to find a new leader, in view of the woes in Britain and abroad. We cannot wait until September. On this occasion only, could not those eligible to vote be confined to Conservative MPs? Hopefully they would choose quickly.
Perhaps the 1922 Committee could consider this idea when thinking about “changing the rules”.
Oliver Hidson
Gloucester
SIR – The arrogance of Boris Johnson is beyond belief.
Staying on at No 10 is bad enough, and damaging to the Conservative Party. But his desire to stay on and have a wedding party at Chequers (now cancelled), while people are queuing at charity food outlets and unable to heat their homes, showed just how out of touch he is.
The sooner we are rid of him the better.
David Walters
Ex-chairman, Hexham Conservatives Corbridge, Northumberland
SIR – Boris Johnson was not directly elected as prime minister by voters. But the longer he stays, the more they will want to punish him at the next general election.
Many good Tory MPs would be lost in the process and Sir Keir Starmer would be delighted. If Mr Johnson has any interest in the future of his country, he should hand over power to the Deputy Prime Minister – now. Roger J Arthur
Pulborough, West Sussex
SIR – The sorry events of the last few days have confirmed beyond doubt that Boris Johnson’s primary interest was always in the Johnson party.
The particular circumstances of his removal from the leadership of the Conservative Party (he has not used the word “resign”) have done no credit to him or those who continue to support him, such as Jacob Rees-Mogg. Norman Macfarlane
Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
SIR – Boris gave his speech at 12.30 on Thursday. I rejoined the Conservative Party at 12.32.
Dr Andy Ashworth
Bo’ness, West Lothian
SIR – It is sad that Boris Johnson’s premiership has come to such an undignified end, having promised so much at the start.
While the blame for his demise can only be laid at his door, he got a lot of things right, including Brexit, vaccines, Ukraine and something that is rarely mentioned: the strength to resist further unnecessary and economically crippling lockdowns.
Those trying to deny him an orderly and respectful exit, calling for him to be removed immediately as if he were some crazed Roman emperor, are simply being vindictive. And it is particularly spiteful to deny him a delayed celebration of his marriage at Chequers. He was our PM and he won a landslide electoral victory. Let him retire with dignity.
Norman Inniss
London SE9
SIR – Boris Johnson blaming “herd” instinct for the decision to oust him was only further proof of his unsuitability for the role of prime minister.
The country needs a new leader now – not in a few months’ time. Peter Milne
Norwich
SIR – Not one “sorry”. In Boris’s parallel universe it is always someone else’s fault.
In his final capitulation he blamed the whole of the parliamentary party for his downfall, rather than the utter shambles over which he presided. Jeremy Lane
Black Bourton, Oxfordshire
SIR – Boris Johnson is not a bad chap. He has the right ideas. But his behaviour has been that of an overgrown sixth-former, ignoring rules and failing to set a good example.
I just hope we can now select someone with common sense, integrity – and honesty.
Dr Susan Archer Weybridge, Surrey
SIR – The tragedy of Boris Johnson was summed up in the blunt words of one of the resignation letters: “You cannot be trusted to tell the truth.”
Although this was finally highlighted by partygate and the Chris Pincher fiasco, Mr Johnson’s fatal flaw went far deeper. Even the most loyal Tory or fervent Brexiteer must admit that his EU referendum and election campaigns were tainted with mendacity.
This has undermined British democracy and our international reputation. However the present mess is resolved, the immediate reestablishment of transparent democracy and integrity is essential.
Even Mr Johnson’s “fantastic successes” in high-profile areas have, in reality, been blighted by poor planning and inefficient implementation, and this, too, needs to be honestly recognised.
Maj Gen the Rev Morgan Llewellyn Crickhowell, Brecknockshire
SIR – I will be forever grateful to Boris Johnson for what he has done – from delivering the best achievable Brexit instead of the complete sellout left by Theresa May, to the superb Covid vaccine rollout and, of course, his leadership in galvanising the world in support of Ukraine.
When I look at the motley assortment of people hoping to replace him – whether Conservative or Labour – it makes me fear for the future not only of Brexit, but also of our country. None of them have his charisma, courage or determined vision.
Mr Johnson has faults, but I predict that, in time, Thursday’s events will be seen as a bad thing for the Conservatives – and our country. Frederick Hill Chipping Norton. Oxfordshire
SIR – The chalice that Boris Johnson has held since Brexit has been poisoned by those who opposed our leaving the European Union.
The decision to leave, made by a majority of the British electorate, was always opposed by a large number of those elected to represent us. They have conveniently forgotten that they are there by our will and not theirs. But now they have had their way.
In happier times Mr Johnson might have proved a successful and popular leader, but circumstances changed all that. I fear that we are about to return to the mundane in politics.
Terry Justice
Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire
SIR – The Conservative MPs who ganged up on Boris Johnson had a chance to get rid of him in the recent confidence vote. But they didn’t – obviously with an eye to their future careers, rather than supporting the electorate and following their own consciences.
Those who accepted a position in government only to resign two days later have shown just how lacking in morals they are.
We need a speedy general election to clear out all these rotten and tawdry MPs.
Gill Broadbent
Winscombe, Somerset
SIR – Boris Johnson’s demise was largely self-inflicted, but somehow I identify with his human failings, which made him more real. How many other people who voted for him feel this way?
We don’t want to revert to having a prime minister who simply utters platitudes. Rather, we want someone who has the guts to do what is required and embrace real Conservative values. Robert Taylor
Ruddington, Nottinghamshire
SIR – I am a “man in the street” and a floating voter, who supported the Conservatives in the last election. (With my personal history and beliefs I ought to be a natural Labour voter.)
I appeal to the powers-that-be in Tory HQ to ensure that a conviction politician is put in charge to sort out the dire state of affairs which we are suffering. We need another Margaret Thatcher.
Failure to deliver one will mean that I, and possibly millions like me, will be reluctantly taking our vote elsewhere at the next poll.
Tim Bradbury
Winnington, Cheshire
SIR – Rishi Sunak has declared that he is running for the leadership of the Conservative Party.
We really don’t need a billionaire in charge of our country. Mr Sunak lives in a very different world to the millions of ordinary people who are suffering as a result of the cost-of-living crisis that he helped to ignite while he was Chancellor.
Nigel Lines
Ferndown, Dorset
SIR – To help me make up my mind about whether I want Rishi Sunak as our next prime minister, I would simply like to know whether the hike in National Insurance contributions from workers was Mr Sunak’s idea, unsuccessfully fought by Boris Johnson; Mr Johnson’s idea, unsuccessfully fought by Mr Sunak; or an idea unfought by either of them. Nick Jones
Cardiff
SIR – I have noticed that politicians who have been Chancellors of the Exchequer do not necessarily make successful prime ministers.
Examples include James Callaghan, John Major and Gordon Brown. Perhaps leading the country requires a wider perspective.
David Julier
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
SIR – Your report (July 8) on the runners and riders for the Conservative leadership was most helpful.
I would like to invest £10 in Priti Patel.
Not only are the odds compelling, but she is also an experienced politician and a true Conservative – just what the party needs.
Peter Kleeman
Crookham Common, Berkshire
SIR – With multiple problems confronting us, what this nation needs are the qualities of a top-level corporate chief executive – a person who agrees targets with departmental heads and then monitors their progress relentlessly until they are delivered.
Of all the candidates, Michael Gove is the best exemplar of this model, followed by Suella Braverman. But with political manoeuvre prevailing over national interest, the Conservatives are likely to end up with someone else as leader.
Tony Jones
London SW7
SIR – Engaging, intelligent, incisive, honest, hard-working, consistent on Brexit, courageous on the Northern Ireland Protocol – no wonder Suella Braverman has the odds stacked against her.
Brian Dawson
Burnham, Buckinghamshire
SIR – As a Conservative Party member, I wish to make it clear that my vote would only go to an MP who strongly supported Brexit from the beginning, and who gave me confidence during their leadership campaign that she or he would continue to fight tooth-andnail for Britain against the EU bureaucrats.
Jeffrey Thorogood
Malvern, Worcestershire
SIR – How is Dominic Cummings going to spend his time now that he won’t have Boris Johnson as prime minister to criticise?
Perhaps he could retrain as an ophthalmologist.
Lynn Pearson
Southam, Warwickshire
SIR – E A Baird (Letters, July 8) suggests Boris as a contestant for Strictly.
Would I Lie to You? might be a less exhausting alternative.
Felicity Marsh
London SW1
SIR – If Theresa May can attract £1 million a year for her speeches, Boris Johnson should be able to command three times that amount.
He’ll get over losing the premiership very quickly, I reckon.
Roger Foord
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire