London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Rebels tell Boris Johnson rules could be changed to allow another challenge

Rebels tell Boris Johnson rules could be changed to allow another challenge

Tobias Ellwood says PM has a lot of work to do, with change of direction needed by October party conference

Rebel Conservatives have given Boris Johnson until the party conference to change direction, saying rules could be altered to allow another challenge, as Dominic Raab called for the “democratic result” of the vote to be respected.

Johnson lost the confidence of 41% of his MPs in a vote on his leadership on Monday night, after weeks of anger over lockdown-breaking parties in Downing Street and fears the party’s direction is causing a slump at the polls.

The prime minister will attempt to reassert control of the political agenda this week by confirming the government will table legislation to override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol – a move likely to further inflame tensions with some of his party critics.

He will also make a major speech on housing on Thursday, including an intention to extend the right to buy to housing association tenants.

A landmark review of NHS leadership, intended to “level up” failing trusts, is also expected to report this week. On Tuesday morning, Johnson will tell his cabinet of new plans in the coming weeks to ease childcare costs – widely briefed as allowing carers to take on more children.


At cabinet, Johnson will also reiterate a desire to improve delivery, particularly on the cost of living, crime and the NHS backlog.

“This is a government that delivers on what the people of this country care about most,” he will say, citing government achievements on household support and recruitment of police officers.

“Today, I pledge to continue delivering on these priorities. We are on the side of hard-working British people, and we are going to get on with the job.”

But one of Johnson’s key critics, Tobias Ellwood, said on Tuesday that the strength of feeling against the prime minister was so great – with 148 MPs voting against him – that he had just months to turn it around. Under current party rules, Johnson should be safe from a challenge for a year but rules can be changed by the backbench executive of the 1922 Committee.

Ellwood told Sky News: “A lot of work to be done. A reshuffle is now required: bring in fresh talent, and actually start to focus on the big issues.

“Let’s do things that appeal to the country and not just to our base – more exciting policies than the privatisation of Channel 4 and bringing back imperial measurements, but a real economic strategy that’s actually going to help tackle the cost of living crisis.”

Asked how long he believed Johnson would remain as prime minister, he added: “I think we’re talking a matter of months, up to party conference [at the beginning of October].”


Raab said the Conservatives should “draw a line in the sand” following Monday’s confidence vote. “It was clearly and decisively won. We move forward to deliver for the people of the country and that is the way we do the right thing by our constituents.”

When asked whether he could count on rebellious colleagues to support policies, Raab added: “There’s a huge amount, when you look at our policy agenda, that binds us together.”

The deputy prime minister said potential losses for the Conservative party at two byelections in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and Devon’s Tiverton and Honiton, were not an indication of the party’s fortunes.

Speaking on LBC, he said: “Byelections are often an opportunity for a protest vote in a way that a general election isn’t. Governments of the day often lose byelections to go on to win them at a general election. But we’ll do everything we can do to win both of those seats and support both of those great candidates.”

The former Tory leader William Hague said Johnson should “turn his mind to getting out” to provide a fresh start for the party. “While Johnson has survived the night, the damage done to his premiership is severe,” he wrote in the Times.

“Words have been said that cannot be retracted, reports published that cannot be erased, and votes have been cast that show a greater level of rejection than any Tory leader has ever endured and survived. Deep inside, he should recognise that, and turn his mind to getting out in a way that spares party and country such agonies and uncertainties.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×