I think something important to note/consider and certainly something I would be putting to government and payroll MPs defending Johnson, is the issue with this line they keep trotting out - that there is a need to 'draw a line under this and move on/get back to business of govt'
There is a terminal issue that faces Johnson and his supporters and that is that he has lost the confidence of people around him who work with him, know things, and can damage him. They have demonstrated this intention with the many damaging leaks that have sparked bad headlines
Boris says that he wants to put an end to the 'media's favourite obsession' - that is shooting the messenger. The media is carrying news and scoops that have been handed to them by insiders in the govt who want to destabilise his government and even topple him.
If you no longer have the support and allyship of people around you who hold the power and the means to damage you, winning a confidence vote does not change this at all. The leaks will continue. The headlines will continue. The govt will continue being distracted by this saga
Ever since Barnard Castle, there have been insiders leaking damaging info about Boris and the govt to the media. During the covid pandemic, and continuing during the war in Ukraine and cost of living crisis. Doing this at such a perilous time conveys huge intent to remove him
And what have we seen in recent months during the various investigations taking place? A lot of civil servants and payrollers taking the fall for Operation Save Big Dog. Many now with an axe to grind. The calls are coming from inside the house - it doesn't appear they will stop.
The calls are coming from inside the house
https://twitter.com/benrileysmith/status/1533806018764972032?s=20&t=hixFM1dT1ZAHQLA4VZe-BQ
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
