Officials deny U.K. PM losing ‘grip’
Downing Street dismissed concerns that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had lost his “grip” Monday as Tory MPS, including one whip, claimed letters of no confidence had been submitted.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman on Tuesday said that Johnson was “very much focused on delivering for the public” after a recent flurry of missteps.
One Tory whip told The Daily Telegraph Tuesday that it was an “assumption” that some MPS had submitted no-confidence letters to the 1922 Committee. If 15 per cent of sitting Tory MPS submit letters then a leadership contest is called.
The whip said: “The rumour is persistently around. It will not get anywhere near the 50 letters you would need, but it does cause angst.”
A second Tory MP said several of the “usual suspects” were believed to have lost confidence in Johnson and submitted letters. The MP added: “Is this the start of more of that? If the next month is like the last month, and horror stories continue, more letters will be submitted.”
The Prime Minister’s allies dismissed the speculation, arguing his political position was safe after winning a huge majority and securing Brexit.
Asked if Johnson “has a grip,” his spokesman replied: “Of course.”
Such letters of no confidence, when they are submitted, are done so privately, with only the MP in question and Sir Graham Brady, the 1922 Committee chairman, directly involved.
Brady declined to comment.
The speculation reflects the febrile atmosphere among some Conservative MPS as the party’s position in the polls has slipped after a series of self-inflicted political wounds.
They include two weeks of “Tory sleaze” headlines after attempts to help Owen Paterson fight his suspension from the Commons, a rebellion over social care and clashes over the watering down of High Speed 2 rail plans.
After political opponents mocked the Prime Minister for losing his place in a speech to the Confederation of British Industry on Monday, Downing Street waved away concerns on Tuesday.
“The Prime Minister briefly lost his place in a speech,” Johnson’s spokesman said. “He has given hundreds of speeches. I don’t think it’s unusual for people on rare occasions to lose their place in a speech.”
There was also no public support from Downing Street for Lord Hague’s idea of creating a so-called “inner cabinet,” as David Cameron had, to help guide the Prime Minister on major political decisions.
The hunt was on Tuesday for the person behind the quotation from a “senior Downing Street source” reported by the BBC saying there was “concern” in No. 10 over Johnson.
Treasury sources reportedly denied they had any involvement in the anonymous briefing after it was noted both No. 10 and No. 11, the Chancellor’s residence, are in Downing Street.
Tory MPS are also concerned that the departure earlier this year of Lord Udny-lister, a senior adviser who has been by Johnson’s side in Downing Street and when the Prime Minister was mayor of London, created a gap that has not yet been adequately filled.