Wednesday 8 June 2022 08:13 AM No-confidence vote has left Boris 'rattled' and 'chastened' says former Tory ... trends now
The result of a confidence vote in his leadership has left Boris Johnson 'rattled' and 'chastened' but determined to deliver an agenda for the British people, an ally and former adviser has said.
Lord Marland, a former aide to Johnson, has said the Prime Minister must 'rediscover' his 'X-Factor' and propose policies that appeal to the Conservative party.
It comes as Boris is being urged by allies to offer the job of Chancellor to key rival Jeremy Hunt in a bid to stabilise his leadership and put an end to party infighting, the Telegraph has reported.
Meanwhile, Hunt's ally says the Prime Minister is still in 'very choppy waters' after this week's developments in Westminster.
Despite the Prime Minister securing victory in Monday's ballot, the result saw 148 Conservative MPs declare that they had no confidence in his leadership.
The vote was the result of an internal row, largely centred on the Partygate scandal and its fallout.
Speaking at an event to commemorate the Falklands War last night, Johnson said 'things are a bit quieter in Westminster' and 'relatively peaceful'.
But the number of rebel Tories was higher than Boris's allies had anticipated and, as a result, the PM has been left shaken and must 'rediscover' his 'X-factor', his former advisor has said.
Boris Johnson has been left 'rattled' by the result of a confidence ballot held on Monday which saw 148 Tory MPs register votes of no confidence, Lord Marland has said (pictured together)
Above: At an event to commemorate the Falklands War's 40th anniversary today, the PM said: 'Now things are a bit quieter in Westminster, perhaps I may be able to go before too long'
Lord Marland, a former aide and Conservative Treasurer, told BBC's Newsnight: 'Of course he's rattled. I saw him this afternoon, and he is very rattled by it.
'But I was struck by firstly how chastened he was, and secondly how determined he is to deliver an agenda for the British people, in terms of dealing with food security, dealing with energy security which are going to be the two looming crises.
'And of course his performance on Ukraine has been excellent, and I think we'll see more of that.'
'I think Boris Johnson has got that X factor. He's got to rediscover it. He's got to come out with a series of policies which appeal to the Conservative party on the one hand, he's got to rebuild the Conservative party in alliance with him.
'And secondly those policies that are in the best interests of the country, to solve the crises which he has inherited - food supply, those issues.'
Meanwhile, proposals for a 'dream team' with Boris continuing as PM while Jeremy Hunt steps in as Chancellor emerged yesterday in the wake of the confidence ballot, according to the Telegraph.
Allies believe the appointment would put an end to infighting within the Conservative party.
But a key ally of Jeremy Hunt yesterday warned the bid to oust Boris Johnson was 'not over'.
The Prime Minister is being urged by allies to offer the job of Chancellor to former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in a bid to stabilise his leadership and put an end to party infighting
Philip Dunne, who ran Mr Hunt's failed leadership campaign in 2019, suggested the question of who would head the party into the next election was not settled.
Despite Mr Johnson's confidence vote victory, Mr Dunne claimed the Prime Minister faced some 'very choppy waters' – and indicated there would be further attempts to undermine him.
It was suggested last night that some Tory rebels could use 'vote strikes' to paralyse the Government.
