Former Tory leader Michael Howard calls on Boris Johnson to resign

Tick tock Prime Minister

Former leader of the Conservatives Michael Howard has called on Boris Johnson to resign, following his disastrous double defeat at by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton & Honiton. Speaking on BBC's Radio 4 on Friday Lord Howard said: "The party and more importantly the country would be better off under new leadership." He added that "Members of the Cabinet should very carefully consider their positions," suggesting that cabinet ministers should take a bolder stance against the PM if he chooses to stay on in Downing Street. A similar line was taken by senior Tory Sir Roger Gale who told BBC Breakfast last night's seismic result showed "a massive vote of no confidence in the prime minister" and questioned his stability as leader going forward. The prime minister is currently in Rwanda where he will attend a summit of Commonwealth leaders - in a visit not connected to the government's controversial deportation plans. Overnight the Tories suffered a devastating double election defeat, just weeks after 41% of the prime minister's own MPs voted no confidence in his leadership. The crushing result led to the resignation of Conservative party chairman Oliver Dowden, who quit after acknowledging their supporters were "distressed and disappointment by recent events" and the tories "cannot carry on with business as usual". In Tiverton and Honiton, the Liberal Democrats swept to victory after overturning an historic 24,000 votes. The almost 30% swing is the largest percentage loss for the Tories at any and all by-elections. Meanwhile in Wakefield, Labour secured their first by-election win since 2021 with a swing of more than 12%. Sir Keir Starmer said his party's victory in the Wakefield by-election was a "great result for Labour" and showed "the Tory Party is absolutely imploding." Related Links

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