Boris Johnson was accused of “hiding away from the people” during a brief visit to Tiverton and Honiton as Conservatives struggled to retain their seats in the upcoming by-elections.
The Liberal Democrats criticized the prime minister’s modest visit to the Devon constituency after he was spotted meeting with party candidate Helen Herford and a small group of tea farmers.
Tory officials shared a photo of Mr Johnson at Ditchetts Farm in Tiverton, and the National Agricultural Union (NFU) said the prime minister had discussed food security with local officials.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The fact is that he does not talk to ordinary people. Nobody seems to know where he is. He hides away from people and I think that says it all. He takes this constituency for granted. “
Earlier Friday, Mr Johnson received a mixture of applause and booing during a surprise visit to the Royal Cornwall Show near Wadebridge in Cornwall.
One member of the show’s crew said Mr Johnson received a “mixed reception”, but added: “I think there was more applause than booing in general… I don’t think he minded; he has rhino skin.
Mr Johnson was pictured on the show with Environment Minister George Justis just hours before the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall arrived.
Tory MPs and No. 10 officials have expressed fears that the Liberal Democrats may fall when voters go to the polls on June 23, despite the vast majority in the 2019 general election.
The by-elections were sparked by the resignation of former Conservative MP Neil Parish, who became the focus of a political storm after admitting to watching pornography on his phone in the Municipal Hall.
Despite the predominant rural seat, which is dominated by Tories in the 2019 election – the party’s majority was over 24,000 – officials are worried that the seat may fall to Davey’s party in two weeks.
The Liberal Democrats are seeking to take advantage of continuing concerns about the prime minister’s precarious situation and deep anger over the Partygate scandal, which has resulted in Mr Johnson being fined by Sofia police.
With Mr Johnson’s position at number 10 in the spotlight following Monday’s vote of confidence, the defeat at Tiverton and Honiton in 13 days could resume calls for his resignation.
Earlier this week, the Tory candidate for Tiverton and Honiton declined to say how she would have voted in a no-confidence vote on Mr Johnson’s leadership if he had been an MP.
Ms Herford, a former head teacher, described the issue as “irrelevant”, saying she was not “in Westminster” and added that it was time to “move forward” after the prime minister survived only after Monday’s vote.
Other by-elections will be held in Wakefield on the same day, following the resignation of a Tory MP convicted of sexually abusing a 15-year-old.
The former Labor stronghold voted for the Conservatives in the 2019 general election, but is expected to be reinstated by Sir Keir Starmer’s party on June 23.
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