You could see that Johnson thought he had been wronged. The judgment of the scores of ministers who had resigned was "eccentric," he lamented. Even at midnight last night he told one loyal minister "everyone has gone completely mad" and that he would contest any second vote of no confidence — and win. Some inside Number 10 described being scared of what kind of stunts might be coming next. This morning, civil servants running departments — unable to carry on the business of government — were furious at being unable to do their jobs. Eventually, the penny dropped. The debate now turns to whether Johnson should leave immediately, considering that the UK faces an energy, security and cost-of-living crisis. As Kitty Donaldson reports, one reason why the PM may be keen to stay is that he is due to host his wedding at Chequers. But a great number of those rebels, cock-a-hoop at successfully prising him away from Downing Street's faded grandeur, want him out now. Most joke that they are "ready for [Dominic] Raab," the deputy prime minister deemed to have a done a capable job while Johnson was in hospital with Covid in 2020. But there is no mechanism for this. Sensible people in Number 10, even those relieved that Johnson has now finally decided to go, think it is reasonable he should stay to look after the transition. These are hardly "refuseniks." Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Ben Wallace, Sajid Javid and Nadhim Zahawi. Photographers: Chris J. Ratcliffe; Hollie Adams/Bloomberg Attention now turns to who comes next — and what they will do. Bloomberg's Alex Wickham reports today that former Health Secretary Sajid Javid is considering a leadership run, while Sky News said that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is doing the same. Bookmakers are keen on Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Trade Minister Penny Mordaunt.(Only Suella Braverman and Steve Baker have so far publicly said they'll run, but that is certain to change.) The backbench 1922 Committee thinks it has done its job by getting Johnson to resign. Joe Mayes reports that the committee plans to whittle any leadership contenders down to a final two by July 21, and have the contest decided by September. Committee elections on Monday may change attitudes but with just a week left of the parliamentary calendar before a long holiday, some rebels suspect Johnson will stay in place. They say they will leave watch him closely — and move again if they spy any "antics." |
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