MPS push for change of party rules to allow new challenge
Any attempt to remove 1922 Committee limit of one vote a year hangs on results of two by-elections
‘He had the grit to get through the Covid-19 crisis, and then the chump had to be gone and caught partying’
A POWERFUL group of backbenchers on the 1922 Committee is likely to look at changing rules to allow a fresh challenge to Boris Johnson’s authority after the results of the June 23 double byelection.
The committee’s rules prevent a further vote of confidence in the Prime Minister until next June. However, these rules could be changed by its 18-strong executive at any point.
The result of Monday’s vote will be discussed at the usual meeting today, but any rule change is unlikely to be considered before the by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton on June 23.
Yesterday, Tobias Ellwood, a leading backbench critic who harbours leadership ambitions, told Sky News that the 1922 Committee was actively looking to change the rules.
Asked if the rules could be changed, he said: “I understand that’s what the 1922 Committee are looking at, deliberately for this reason.
“Because if we’re going to have that stay of execution, we are now going to recognise the democratic outcome and support the Prime Minister then let’s give the Prime Minister time to improve.
“The system can be adjusted to mean the current rule of allowing a prime minister an entire year would be changed.”
The claim was denied by senior figures close to the 1922 Committee executive. One told The Daily Telegraph: “I am glad that Tobias seems to know what we think. Unless we change the rules no vote can be triggered until next June.”
However, the source said the current rules are only in force “for now”, adding: “We are not going to change the rules a few days after the vote.
“However, if the by-elections are a disaster there may be a view that the rules need to be changed.”
Mr Ellwood made the remarks as voters in Devon and West Yorkshire expressed disappointment at Mr Johnson’s refusal to relinquish his premiership before they head to the polls.
The 1922 source also made clear that the rules of when to allow another vote of confidence can only be changed by the committee’s executive.
It comprises six officers – led by chairman Sir Graham Brady – and another 12 executive members, although currently there is one vacancy.
Out of the 17 members of the 1922 Committee officers and executive, who hold Mr Johnson’s future in their hands, six have publicly supported and four publicly opposed the Prime Minister.
Mr Johnson’s known allies are Gary Sambrook, Karl Mccartney, Jason Mccartney, Sheryll Murray, Martin Vickers and David Morris.
Meanwhile, some of his opponents on the Committee include William Wragg, Alicia Kearns, John Stevenson and Mark Pawsey.
All four called for his resignation over partygate, and – with the exception of Mr Pawsey – confirmed they had submitted letters of no confidence.
Nusrat Ghani, Bob Blackman, Sir Geoffrey Clinton-brown and Robert Halfon have all criticised Mr Johnson in recent months, but stopped short of either calling for his departure or voicing outright support.
A complicating factor in an attempt to change the rules is that elections for the 1922 Committee’s executive must be held before October.
Moreover, any attempt to change the rules during a Parliament would be looked at dimly by Downing Street. One senior No10 source said: “We could make their lives difficult.”
Mr Johnson’s leadership will face further scrutiny in the coming weeks as voters in West Yorkshire and Devon head to the ballot box in two separate by-elections.
Yesterday, residents in Tiverton and Honiton, where the Tories won with a 24,239 majority in 2019, said the number of MPS declaring no confidence in Mr Johnson was a sign he should resign.
Charles Sleigh, 67, a retired consultant for restoring period furniture, said: “He had the grit to get through the Covid-19 crisis, and then the chump had to be gone and caught partying.”
Mr Sleigh, a loyal Tory, said Mr Johnson should have departed over partygate. “But who the hell else is waiting in the wings?” he said.
In Wakefield, polling has suggested the Tories are heading for defeat in a constituency snatched from Labour in 2019. Residents in the red wall constituency told The Telegraph they have “had enough” of Mr Johnson.
Barry Sowerby, 81, said: “I think he’ll be out this next month, hopefully, because there’s more to come [on the parties]. He’s an absolute buffoon. He just looks after himself and his friends.”
But there was no consensus on who ought to succeed him. Outside Wakefield Cathedral, Linda Fisher, 71, said, “I don’t know,” when asked whether Mr Johnson should resign.
“Because who is going to take over – and are they going to be any better?”