After nearly half of Conservative backbenchers revolted against ‘Plan B’ yesterday, Boris has agreed that if any further restrictions are imposed between now and the New Year Parliament will be recalled. But it is probable that if he attempts to impose ‘Plan C’, i.e. a national lockdown, not only would he face an even greater rebellion, but it would trigger a leadership challenge. That means ‘Plan C’ is unlikely – for now. MailOnline has more.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed this morning that the premier has bowed to demands that Parliament must be recalled for a vote before any further restrictions are brought in.
During the pandemic most curbs have been introduced by ministers and then only approved by MPs retrospectively, something that has added to the fury of sceptics.
One Cabinet source warned that the only way Tory MPs would support a tightening now was after “very clear evidence that Omicron is leading to hospitalisations and deaths”.
The mutiny suffered by Mr. Johnson was close to the record insurrection that hammered Theresa May’s Brexit deal in 2019 – and greater than the biggest rebellions faced by David Cameron, Sir John Major and Margaret Thatcher.
Thirteen MPs who have attended Cabinet under four premiers defied Mr Johnson, including Dame Andrea Leadsom, David Davis, Liam Fox and Chris Grayling. Some 26 Tories first elected in his 2019 landslide victory revolted.
Louie French, the newest Tory MP who was elected in a by-election less than two weeks ago, also went against the government whip.
The numbers were more than enough to wipe out the government’s huge 80-strong majority had Keir Starmer not ridden to the rescue.
The vote came less than two hours after the PM made a last-ditch attempt to quell the rebellion by telling a meeting of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers that he had “no choice” but to impose new curbs.
The grim week for Mr Johnson looks set to get worse, with the Tory struggling to cling on to the previously rock-solid seat of North Shropshire in a by-election tomorrow, triggered by the resignation of Owen Paterson in the sleaze furore.
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