Boris Johnson says he is ‘not worried’ by MPs plotting against him while at G7
Conservative MPs are ready to act “lightning fast” to oust prime minister Boris Johnson, a former MP has told The Independent.
Last week’s by-election defeats in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton have sparked demands for a second vote on Mr Johnson’s leadership, with some Tory MPs understood to have resubmitted letters of no confidence to Sir Graham Brady, the chair of the 1922 Committee.
Meanwhile, yet more Tory rebels have urged ministers to resign in a bid to force the prime minister to follow suit.
Urging ambitious ministers to “show a little backbone and indeed leadership”, 1922 Committee vice-chair William Wragg joined a growing chorus of former Tory leaders, erstwhile ministers and peers demanding that senior members of Mr Johnson’s government consider their positions.
But, speaking at the G7 summit, Mr Johnson insisted he had a mandate to drive a “massive, massive agenda”, adding: “Nobody abandons a privilege like that.”
Meanwhile, as MPs prepare to debate his plans to rip up the Northern Ireland Protocol, Mr Johnson claimed the controversial legislation could be implemented in 2022.
Nicola Sturgeon promises abortion buffer zones around clinics
Nicola Sturgeon has backed establishing buffer zones around abortion clinics in Scotland so women can access services “free of harassment and intimidation”.
Ms Sturgeon said that the proper focus for anyone protesting against abortion should be Parliament and lawmakers, not hospitals or sexual health clinics.
“Gatherings of this kind create additional stress for anyone using these facilities, for any purpose, and for those who work in them. But for women accessing abortion services the upset, distress and fear that they cause can be profound.”
The first minister was speaking at the abortion summit in Edinburgh which aims to ensure that women can access abortion services.
“There are issues that we need to solve to establish buffer zones through legislation but if we work together in a spirit of solidarity, I am confident we can find a way,” she added
Sravasti Dasgupta28 June 2022 05:55
Theresa May lashes out at PM’s bid to override Northern Ireland Protocol
Theresa May has called Boris Johnson’s patriotism into question as she declared she will not support his bid to override the Northern Ireland protocol which he agreed with the EU as part of his Brexit withdrawal deal in 2019.
Speaking in the Commons, Ms May told MPs: “The UK’s standing in the world – our ability to convene and encourage others in the defence of our shared values – depends on the respect others have for us as a country, a country that keeps its word and displays those shared values in its actions.
“As a patriot, I would not want to do anything that would diminish this country in the eyes of the world.”
Andrew Woodcock has the details:
Sravasti Dasgupta28 June 2022 05:40
Nicola Sturgeon to lay out “route map” for second Scottish referendum
Scotland’s First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon will lay out a “route map” statement on the second vote on independence on Tuesday.
“It is time to give people the democratic choice they have voted for, and then with independence to build a more prosperous, fairer country in a true partnership of equals between Scotland and our friends in the rest of the UK,” she said.
The 2014 referendum, which saw voters north of the border opt to stay in the UK by 55% to 45%, took place after then prime minister David Cameron agreed a section 30 order.
Sravasti Dasgupta28 June 2022 05:25
Tory rebels ready to act ‘lightning fast’ to remove Boris Johnson
Conservative rebels will act “lightning fast” to oust the prime minister when a powerful Commons committee publishes its findings on whether he lied to parliament over Partygate, a former minister said to The Independent.
“When it happens, it has to be lightning-fast and it has to be at a moment when his position is irrecoverable,” the minister said.
The comments came as cabinet ministers faced growing calls to follow Oliver Dowden, who quit his government post and the chairmanship of the Tory Party after the devastating byelection defeats.
Sravasti Dasgupta28 June 2022 05:13
Welcome to the UK politics blog for Monday, 28 June 2022 where we bring you the latest news and analysis from the heart of Westminster.
Sravasti Dasgupta28 June 2022 04:37
Source: www.independent.co.uk