Politics
Kate Plummer
Feb 02, 2022
Independent
Another Conservative MP has turned against Boris Johnson.
This time it's Tobias Ellwood slagging the PM, telling Sky News' Kay Burley he is getting his pen and paper out, ready to submit a letter of no-confidence in the PM.
In his interview this morning, while he praised Johnson for Brexit, winning the 2019 general election and the vaccine roll-out, he said he was done with his boss as it is time to look forward to "domestic and international [battles] ahead of us".
"We're better than this, we must seek to improve our standards," he said.
Another Tory MP turns on the PM\n \n@Tobias_Ellwood breaks the news to Kay that @BorisJohnson no longer has his support \n\n#KayBurley FMpic.twitter.com/ENfwhleThg— Kay Burley (@Kay Burley) 1643792526
He added that he thought Johnson should have used the time waiting for Sue Gray's report to overhaul Number 10 and claimed Johnson is unaware of how "worried" colleagues are about standards.
"He himself should call a vote of confidence rather than waiting for the inevitable 54 letters to be eventually submitted" he said. "It's time to resolve this completely so the party can go back to governing."
"I will be submitting my letter today to the 1922 committee."
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Ellwood joins a growing number of Tory politicians to publicly denounce their leader and is the 11th to call on him to resign. As Ellwood pointed out, if 54 letters are submitted to Sir Graham Brady, a vote of confidence will be called which isn't exactly ideal.
Meanwhile, as Ellwood is a rather senior member of the party, it may come as an extra blow to Johnson as he tries to enjoy his Wednesday in peace without - for once - the threat of coups and plots.
Here's how people reacted to the news:
I think this is huge. @Tobias_Ellwood has a lot of respect. Now @TomTugendhat and @JohnnyMercerUK, you know what to do https://twitter.com/16MillionRising/status/1488795087282872320\u00a0\u2026— Mike Ward (@Mike Ward) 1643791889
Anyone else at this stage, just genuinely intrigued, to see what will actually bring Boris Johnson down?! As Tobias Ellwood goes on live TV to state that he will be submitting his letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister. I\u2019m thinking will this be his end? Roll the dice.— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@Dr. Jennifer Cassidy) 1643797077
Good on you @Tobias_Ellwoodhttps://twitter.com/LBC/status/1488818313744498692\u00a0\u2026— John Sweeney (@John Sweeney) 1643796977
And so @Tobias_Ellwood inadvertently nails the issue. They are not better than this. It\u2019s exactly who they are.pic.twitter.com/2GtL5KBuHC— Jay Rayner (@Jay Rayner) 1643797669
@Tobias_Ellwood Submitting your letter of no confidence in Johnson - absolutely the right decision. Thank you.— France\u2019s \ud83d\udc99Cannot #FBPE (@France\u2019s \ud83d\udc99Cannot #FBPE) 1643791386
Not sure govt's day of launching what is meant to be biggest mission, to 'level up', was meant to start with former minister, Tobias Ellwood, telling our Sky colleagues he's putting in a letter of no confidence to the PM— Laura Kuenssberg (@Laura Kuenssberg) 1643792033
Another bloke off Boris' Christmas card list.
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