In the Commons this afternoon, the Prime Minister needs a symphonic mixture of apology, distraction and defiance to slough off his troubles. The Big Sorry however comes with many tangled strings attached. Labour and the Lib Dems are seeking to extract a parliamentary vote on the matter — adding another spotlight to Johnson’s woes and nudging the rattled Conservative benches towards a no-confidence vote. Every Partygate fine administered to Team Boris and the great party-goer himself adds to the impression of slipshod management and cynicism. Add to that a hike in cost of living, causing palpitations in cash-strapped households. No wonder many Tories view the May elections, as one MP from the 2016 intake puts it to me, as an impending “Slaughterhouse-Five”.
Voting across London and the country on May 5 does indeed feel like impending mortal combat for the political parties. Conservative MPs fear a drubbing so thorough that the prospect of recovery under Boris Johnson’s leadership becomes too shaky to bank on.
