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Epidemics

Tory MPs Face Backlash from Voters Over Downing Street Parties Scandal

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Conservative MPs returned to Westminster yesterday in a muted mood after listening to constituents and party activists over the weekend, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson's admission to attending a Downing Street "bring your own booze" garden party in May 2020 during coronavirus lockdown. The scandal has sparked a furious backlash from voters, with a significant number of Tory activists and grassroots supporters calling for Johnson's resignation. An opinion poll suggested Labour was 13 points ahead of the Conservatives, with Redfield and Wilton putting Labour on 43 per cent. Tory MPs are awaiting a report into the Downing Street parties by Sue Gray, a senior civil servant, which is expected to outline a culture of drinking in Downing Street. The report is likely to recommend banning alcohol in Number 10, with government officials saying any ban would be announced following its publication.

Key Takeaways:

  • 40% of Tory activists in Grassroots Conservatives, a group representing Tory activists, think Boris Johnson should quit.
  • The Downing Street parties scandal has damaged the Conservative party's standing with the public, with Labour 13 points ahead of the Tories in an opinion poll.
  • Only a small number of Conservative MPs have publicly called for Johnson to resign, with most MPs awaiting a report into the scandal by Sue Gray.
  • The report is expected to outline a culture of drinking in Downing Street, with government officials suggesting a ban on alcohol in Number 10.
  • Steve Baker, a former Conservative minister, said his constituents were "60 to one" against Johnson, but expressed caution about supporting a no-confidence vote.
  • A Tory MP said she was "pretty sure" that more letters seeking a no-confidence vote in Johnson had been submitted to Sir Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 committee of backbench Conservatives.
  • Sonia Khan, a former Downing Street aide, said a culture of drinking had been "normalised" among senior officials, who used drinks to thank staff for their long working hours.

Statistics:

  • 40% of Grassroots Conservatives members think Boris Johnson should quit (Source: Grassroots Conservatives)
  • 43% of voters support Labour, 30% support the Conservatives, and 27% are undecided (Redfield and Wilton opinion poll)
  • 60:1 is the ratio of constituents to Baker's constituents against Johnson (Source: Steve Baker)
  • 13 points is the margin by which Labour is ahead of the Conservatives in the Redfield and Wilton opinion poll (Source: Redfield and Wilton)
  • May 2020 is the month in which Boris Johnson attended a Downing Street "bring your own booze" garden party (Source: Prime Minister's Office)
  • April 2021 is the month in which Prince Philip's funeral took place, with Number 10 parties on the eve of the funeral (Source: Prime Minister's Office)

Sources:

  • Grassroots Conservatives
  • Redfield and Wilton
  • Prime Minister's Office
  • BBC News
  • The Times
  • Notebook page 20

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