Boris Johnson called his proposal to leave if the Tories lose two by-elections on Thursday “crazy”.
As Conservatives struggled to retain Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton, the prime minister was asked on Wednesday if he would take responsibility and resign if they lost both.
He replied: “Come on, we only won the Hartlepool by-elections a year ago, which everyone thought – you know, we hadn’t won Hartlepool – I can’t remember the last time the Tories won Hartlepool – but for a long time. I don’t think there ever was.
“The ruling parties generally do not win by-elections, especially not in by-elections. You know, I really hope so, but you know, here it is. ”
Asked if that meant he would stay, he replied, “Are you crazy?”
The British Commonwealth Heads of Government (Chogm) summit in Kigali was scheduled to take place in 2020, but was adjourned due to Covid.
Johnson flew to the Rwandan capital on Thursday morning for the latest Chogm. In the first place on his agenda was a bilateral meeting with the country’s leader Paul Kagame.
Local reports say they have discussed migration among other topics.
Under Johnson, the United Kingdom’s relations with Rwanda changed. In April, his government signed a £ 120m deal to send asylum seekers to the country without an official way to return legitimately to the UK.
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In the afternoon, Johnson will deliver a speech at the business forum of the meeting and will attend a round table with the countries of the Pacific Islands.
He will also visit the Kigali Memorial to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which killed more than 500,000 Tutsis.
But his visit continues to be dominated by the deal with Rwanda. On Wednesday night, Johnson called on critics to stop their “condescending” treatment of Rwanda.
Speaking before boarding the plane for the East African country, he said: “It is clear that I am going to Rwanda and [this is] an opportunity for all of us to see the country with which we now have this very important economic and migration partnership.
“And maybe to help others get rid of some of these condescending attitudes towards Rwanda and how this partnership can work.
The prime minister is expected to meet with Prince Charles on Thursday, their first meeting since the heir to the throne is widely said to have described the government’s plan for Rwanda as appalling.
They will have a “bilateral” meeting on Friday, urging the prime minister’s aides to be informal.
Asked if Prince Charles was one of those condescending people, Johnson said Wednesday: “I can’t confirm that. What I can say is that I think the policy is sensible, measured, and a plan to tackle the grotesque abuse of innocent people crossing the English Channel.
He visited the Groupe Scolaire Kacyiru II school on the outskirts of Kigali, which is funded by the British government.
The children applauded as Johnson entered the first classroom. Then the children read a story about an unhealthy hen.
The children read the beginning of the story: “Hetty was an unhealthy hen. She never exercised. She slept all day. She eats a lot of junk food. One day, Hattie saw a poster of a chicken race.
Johnson was sitting in a high chair, looking confused as the children read the story.
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