From the perspective of the opposition parties, Boris Johnson’s victory in Monday’s confidence vote could prove to be a good result (What the Tories now offer Britain – a lame duck leader and a party that has lost the plot, 7 June). Had he lost, the focus would be on a Tory leadership contest, followed by a honeymoon period for whoever emerged as his successor.
With 41% of Tory MPs voting against him, Johnson is severely weakened. Defeats in the two upcoming byelections would make both “red wall” Tories and those in the south, vulnerable to Liberal Democrat gains, very anxious indeed. In such circumstances, Johnson would be unlikely to survive further inevitable leadership challenges, leaving the party divided and scrambling to prevent its unravelling at the next election.
Opposition parties need to ensure that this moment is not lost by wasting too much time on the horrors of Johnsonian leadership. Now is the time to articulate clear policies and come forward with plans shared by all progressive parties. To ensure victory, they also need to develop an election strategy to maximise the chances of defeating the Conservatives in every seat. For this to succeed, all opposition parties should commit to the introduction of proportional representation in the first 100 days of forming what is likely to be a coalition of progressive parties.
Chris Miller
Horsley, Gloucestershire
• What Monday’s vote tells us is that nearly 60% of Conservative MPs have confirmed that the best that the Tory party has to offer the country by way of leadership is an amoral, narcissistic liar. And with their dubious assertion that they continue to support Boris Johnson because “he gets things done”, they are admitting that no one else among them can perform any better. These are the people who are responsible for running the country. We do indeed live in interesting times.
Douglas Gowans
Norwich
• Tory MPs confirm their support for an amoral chancer as their party’s leader and then invite the rest of us to move on. One is tempted to ask: to where? To the nearest food bank; to a school that’s a danger to the kids inside; to a bus stop with no buses? Or should we all simply stand in line with the millions already not moving on in an NHS queue? Move on? Not a chance.
John Rhodes
Todmorden, West Yorkshire
• The prime minister’s speech on Monday night, telling everyone about his successes, reminded me of when our second child came home from school, very proud of her class work. She showed us the exercise, with one out of 10 answers marked correct. “But you got nine wrong,” I said. “Yes, but look at the one I got right!” she replied. Boris Johnson has made too many mistakes. He is an embarrassment. He should go.
Helen Zisul
Le Tronquay, France
• Why can’t we just let Boris Johnson get on with his real job of saving his main job of saving Boris Johnson’s own job? It’s a big enough job for anyone, isn’t it?
Graham Badley
Witham, Essex
• If only the caption to the photograph on the front page of your print edition (7 June) had been wholly true: “Boris Johnson is driven away from the House of Commons last night”.
Peter McIlhenny
Fortrose, Ross-shire
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