A North East Tory MP says now is “not the time” for Boris Johnson to go, as the Prime Minister faces mounting calls to quit.
Pressure is growing on Mr Johnson in the wake of the Partygate scandal at Downing Street, which has prompted some Conservatives to demand that he steps down. On Tuesday, Carlisle MP John Stevenson became the latest in a steady stream of backbenchers to announce publicly that he has submitted a letter of no confidence in the PM’s leadership.
But Blyth Valley MP Ian Levy has come out against the idea of a change at No 10. Mr Levy, whose election in 2019 was among the notable ‘Red Wall’ gains the Tories made in the North East, said he had “not been impressed” by the breaking of lockdown rules at the top of the government but believes the time is not right for a leadership contest, citing the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine as reasons.
