148 Not Out?

Last night, Boris Johnson secured the support of 211 Tories against 148 rebels, in a confidence ballot.

The size of the rebellion was greater than those faced by Theresa May, John Major and Margaret Thatcher in similar votes.

The vote means 41 per cent of Tory MPs do not have confidence in the Prime Minister’s leadership. There are between 160 and 170 MPs on the government payroll, meaning it is likely that only around 40 backbenchers expressed support.

But Mr Johnson insisted: “I think this is a very good result for politics and for the country. I think it’s a convincing result, a decisive result. And what it means is that, as a Government we can move on and focus on the stuff that I think really matters to people."

He is absolutely barking mad. Two by-elections are to be held in June. Both are to replace a Conservative MP who resigned in disgrace.

Ahmad Khan, who was elected to the Wakefield constituency in 2019, was convicted in April of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy at a party in 2008.

Neil Parish quit his Tiverton and Honiton seat after admitting watching pornography in Parliament.

Well that is two Tory landslides in the bag then, I bet they are rubbing their hands together in Conservative Central Office.

Boris (keeping up spirits): The boy stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but he had fled;
The flame that lit the battle’s wreck,
Shone round him o’er the dead.

Yet beautiful and bright he stood,
As born to rule the storm;
A creature of heroic blood,
A proud, though childlike form.

The flames rolled on – he would not go.......

Entire Company: How can I miss you when you won't go away?
I keep telling you day after day
But you won't listen, you always stay and stay
How can I miss you when you won't go away?