‘I do not give up!’ Boris clings to power despite massive resignation | Politics | News

The rebellious prime minister told a delegation of his senior colleagues who barged into Downing Street last night that he remained seated despite a massive walk from the front seat of the government.

He is expected to announce a new plan for the economy next week in a joint statement with newly appointed Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi. And as a sign of his determination to face the uprising, Mr Johnson fired Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove last night.

The resignation followed an attempt by Mr Gove to persuade the Prime Minister to resign during a face-to-face meeting yesterday. A close ally insisted the prime minister was in “an exuberant mood” and continued with new government appointments to reshape his team.

A source in Downing Street said the prime minister told ministers last night that he was “focusing on hugely important issues facing the country”. He also warned them that his departure would only lead to “chaos”, the source said.

His determination to hold on to his job set the stage for an extraordinary showdown between number 10 and his own parliamentary party.

The delegation of ministers – which included formerly staunch allies Priti Patel, Grant Shapps and Kwasi Kwarteng – held a series of face-to-face meetings with the prime minister to beg him to step down.

Their demands came on a second consecutive day of major drama in Westminster, as at least 38 MPs left government posts. It was the largest single day government resignation in history, following the departure of Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid on Thursday night.

The uprising erupted amid anger at Johnson’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against former whip head deputy Christopher Pincher, who was fired last week. Mr Pincher’s formal removal from the Conservative Party was confirmed yesterday.

Cabinet ministers who publicly declared their loyalty to the prime minister on Thursday switched positions as the steady stream of resignations of subordinate ministerial and ministerial assistants continued yesterday.

Last night, some were believed to be considering their positions as rebel backers plotted an attempt to seize control of the parliamentary party’s 1922 committee Monday to force a new vote of confidence from the leaders.

Leveling Secretary Michael Gove met the Prime Minister at lunchtime yesterday to try to convince him to quit over dwindling support among Tory MPs. Mr Johnson rejected his suggestions and then went to a meeting by the Commons Liaison Committee of senior MPs, where he repeatedly waved down calls for his resignation.

During the session, he told MPs who had doubts about his future: “I think the country is going through difficult times. You make a point about duty.

“I look at the problems this country is facing. I look at the pressure people are under and the need for government to focus on their priorities.

He added: “I’m looking at the biggest war in Europe in 80 years and I can’t see for my life how responsible it is to just walk away from it, especially when you have a mandate of the kind we have.” won. two, three years ago.”

As the two-hour committee meeting continued yesterday, cabinet ministers met with Chief Whip Chris Heaton-Harris in Downing Street.

Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee, was also involved in the talks, voicing widespread demands from Tory supporters for the Prime Minister’s departure. Johnson met a series of ministers one-on-one to discuss his future.

In her meeting with the prime minister, the home secretary is said to have insisted that she did not personally want him to quit, but expressed the “overwhelming view” of Tory MPs that his time was up.

Mr Shapps is believed to have told Mr Johnson he had little chance of winning another confidence vote and should instead set a timetable for a departure on his own terms.

Culture Minister Nadine Dorries and Brexit Chances Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg were also at number 10 arguing that Mr Johnson should stay in his post and fight the insurgency.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab also remained loyal to Mr Johnson, defending him at a 1922 backbench committee meeting. the meeting rejected.

Earlier, Mr Johnson was in a good mood despite a series of setbacks from both opposition and Tory MPs during the Prime Minister’s questions. He told the Daily Express that he felt “good” when asked how he was “holding up” under the pressure of the party insurgency.

Johnson also insisted he was preparing a new tax cut plan with his newly appointed chancellor.

Celebrating the £6bn a year National Insurance cut that came into effect yesterday, the Prime Minister told the Daily Express: “It’s today’s most significant tax cut: £330 will benefit 30 million people and with the brilliant new Chancellor in the form of Nadhim I believe we will be able to continue easing the burden on businesses and families in a sensible and responsible manner.”

James Duddridge, the Prime Minister’s private secretary, confirmed last night that Johnson is pushing through with his economic plan.

In a statement last night, Mr Duddridge said: “The Prime Minister is in a good mood and will fight on. He has a 14 million mandate and still has so much to do for the country.

“I expect him to make high cabinet appointments tonight and I look forward to hearing what the Prime Minister and his fantastic Chancellor have to say.”

Last night, a total of 43 MPs had resigned from the government since Tuesday. The figure was about a quarter of MPs on the government’s “payroll” and included two cabinet ministers, 15 ministers, 20 private parliamentary secretaries, four trade envoys and a Tory deputy leader.

Shortly after Mr Gove’s resignation last night, his Parliamentary Private Secretary Danny Kruger became the 42nd MP to retire in a flurry of departures.
He tweeted: “I am indeed sorry to hear that Michael Gove has been fired by the Prime Minister.

“As I said to number 10 earlier today, it should be the prime minister who leaves office. I am resigning as parliamentary chief of staff in the Leveling Department.”