This by-election was a referendum on Boris Johnson’s leadership
If a moment summed up the North Shropshire by-election, it was the painful exchange between journalist Michael Crick and the Conservative candidate. Asked four times whether Boris…
Police launch investigation into Tory HQ Christmas party attended by Shaun Bailey
The Metropolitan Police will make contact with two people who attended a gathering at the Conservative Party HQ in London on December 14 2020 in relation to…
There is logic to the Medici model of levelling up, but not what Michael Gove thinks
Michael Gove has suggested that the Government needs to recast itself in the mould of the “Medici model” of Renaissance Florence, to achieve its objective of “levelling…
‘This will be a watershed moment in our democracy’: Readers on No 10’s Covid pass plan
‘I am very grateful for the PM’s commitment and leadership in this pandemic’ @G.T. D.B: “Boris has done a fantastic job for his country when he was…
Christmas party photo used against the Tories in fight for North Shropshire by-election votes
On Sunday, Nadhim Zahawi, the Education Secretary, told Times Radio that by-elections have “historically been used as a protest vote because people know it’s not going to…
How Boris Johnson’s magic died at the 1922 Committee ahead of shattering Commons rebellion
The Prime Minister pressed on. The UK was facing some of the most difficult circumstances this country has faced for generations, he said, adding: “We are going…
Tory Covid rebels deal hammer blow to Boris Johnson’s authority
The vote came less than an hour after the Prime Minister had sought to convince rebels to back his Plan B restrictions by addressing the 1922 Tory…
Tory rebellion takes aim at the ‘epidemic of fear’
“Wow” — that’s what one MP exclaimed when the vote on vaccine passports was declared. I said something more Anglo-Saxon. The Government threw everything at winning Tuesday’s…
‘Ministry of Fear’ fails to unnerve Tory vaccine passport rebels
The rebels included Louie French, who confirmed he voted against Covid passes, having been elected as a Conservative MP just two weeks ago in the Old Bexley…
Tory rebellion makes clear that the real epidemic is one of fear
“Wow” — that’s what one MP exclaimed when the vote on vaccine passports was declared. I said something more Anglo-Saxon. The Government threw everything at winning Tuesday’s…
How almost 100 Tory MPs dealt Boris Johnson the most bruising rebellion of his premiership
Meanwhile, Mark Harper, a former chief whip, accused ministers of “scaring people witless”, while Sir Desmond Swayne accused the Government of creating a “ministry of fear” and…
Shaun Bailey quits London Assembly role after he was photographed at a party last December
It comes as a senior official was found to have told staff to leave No 10 through the back door on the night Boris Johnson hosted a…
Rebels? Those who voted against the Government are the true Conservatives
Last night, I went to London for dinner. Was I worried about omicron swarming through the capital? No, I was worried about the freedom to make my…
Up to a quarter of No 10 ministerial aides on resignation watch ahead of Covid votes
We will not surrender basic liberties and freedoms lightly By Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset On Wednesday last week at 11.45am, it was quietly reported online…
Tory whips scramble to curb backbench revolt against Covid vaccine passports
The plan is expected to pass despite the Tory backlash because Labour has said it will support it. Under the Government’s proposals, from 6am on Wednesday people…
Tory devolution is a recipe for disaster
Levelling up, it seems, does not include levelling with us. It has taken a leaked copy of the white paper to reveal what ministers have in store…
Russia faces ‘massive consequences’ if it invades Ukraine, warns Liz Truss
Vladimir Putin faces “massive consequences” and a “severe cost” if Russian forces invade eastern Ukraine, Liz Truss said, as she led G7 leaders to a tough joint…
Unvaccinated workers must come clean to employers under new Covid rules
Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, said that the omicron variant was “quickly gaining ground” and is on course to become dominant in Britain by the middle of…
Up to a quarter of Government ministerial aides on resignation watch ahead of Covid votes
We still are in need of urgent action to get more booster availability By Chris Loder, MP for West Dorset On Wednesday last week at 11.45am, it…
Boris Johnson in talks to hire ‘hard man’ ally of Sir Lynton Crosby as No 10 enforcer
Boris Johnson is in talks to appoint a senior ally of election guru Sir Lynton Crosby to be his new 10 Downing Street enforcer, as he attempts…
Scottish Tory leader struggles to defend Boris Johnson over Covid lockdown quiz
The leader of the Scottish Tories refused four times to name a single one of Boris Johnson’s attributes, as he told of his “anger” at Number 10…
Boris Johnson faces Cabinet revolt over Covid rules
The data has sent ministers scrambling to dramatically expand the roll-out of third jabs in the coming weeks, with billions more pounds expected to be spent on…
Dozens of Tory MPs to oppose Covid vaccine passports, including former ministers
Other restrictions that have been introduced as part of Plan B are a return to working from home where possible as of Monday and compulsory face coverings…
Parents and teachers free to discuss children’s gender questions, promises Liz Truss
Liz Truss has pledged that parents and teachers will remain free to talk to children about “whether they are transgender or not”, as she moved to quell…
Bye by-election: Why North Shropshire is Boris Johnson’s own personal referendum
Following the resignation of Owen Paterson over events that fall under the umbrella term of “sleaze”, support for the Conservatives has drained away to the extent that…