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Epidemics

Boris Johnson Secures Fragile Truce with Tories After Surprise Defection

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Boris Johnson managed to prevent a premature no-confidence vote against him by Conservative MPs, thanks to a surprise defection from one of his own ranks, Christian Wakeford, who crossed the floor of the House of Commons to join the Labour party. This move, however, also sparked a united front among restive Tory MPs, who rallied behind their leader after being blindsided by Wakeford's decision. With some critics pushing for a vote of no confidence, Johnson capitalized on the situation by announcing the end of all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England, including mandatory face masks and work-from-home guidance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South, defected to the Labour party, uniting Conservative MPs behind Boris Johnson.
  • Johnson announced the end of all remaining COVID-19 restrictions in England, including mandatory face masks and work-from-home guidance.
  • A total of 54 Tory MPs must send letters to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers, in order to trigger a vote of no-confidence.
  • Senior MPs estimate that about 30 letters have been sent so far, indicating that Johnson may still face a no-confidence vote after publication of the "partygate" investigation.
  • Former Brexit secretary David Davis stated that he had spent weeks defending Johnson from constituents angry at Downing Street parties held during lockdown, but now believes he should resign.
  • Letters of no confidence in Johnson had been withdrawn, with one government insider claiming that the rebels "don't have the numbers to topple Boris".
  • A group of 2019-intake MPs, behind an effort dubbed the "pork-pie plot", said their stance on removing the prime minister had not changed.
  • Johnson confirmed that the "partygate" investigation by Sue Gray will be published next week.
  • Whitehall officials are bracing themselves for more revelations over parties in the coming days.
  • If a no-confidence vote is triggered before Gray's report is published, it may not take place immediately, and discussions are underway to determine the timing.

Statistics:

  • 54: The total number of Tory MPs who must send letters to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee, to trigger a vote of no confidence.
  • 30: The estimated number of letters sent so far.
  • 2019: The year of intake of some Conservative MPs behind the "pork-pie plot" effort.
  • 2020: The year in which lockdown parties were held at Downing Street.
  • Next week: The expected publication date of the "partygate" investigation by Sue Gray.
  • 24 hours: The timeframe in which the confidence vote was held in 2018, in the contest over Theresa May.

Sources:

  • "Boris Johnson secures fragile truce with Tories after surprise defection" by Sebastian Payne, George Parker and Jim Pickard, The Financial Times (no date).
  • "Wakeford calmed things down. His defection made people think: this is all going a bit mad" by Robert Shrimsley, The Financial Times (no date).
  • "UK coronavirus restrictions: Boris Johnson to announce latest moves on Monday" by Jessica Taylor, The Financial Times (no date).

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