The Times: Game over Boris Johnson is still clinging to the Downing Street job despite the resignations of Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, and Sajid Javid, the health secretary, yesterday. That is a mistake. He has lost the confidence of his party and his country. Just two weeks ago, the Conservatives suffered historic by-election defeats in two previously solid seats. It underlined the depth of hostility to Mr Johnson in many different parts of the country and prompted the resignation of the party chairman. There is no conceivable chance that Mr Johnson, who failed to secure the support of 148 MPs in a confidence vote last month, will be able to regain power to provide the effective leadership the country needs at a time of acute national crisis. Every day he stays deepens the sense of chaos. For the good of the country he must go. What has brought Mr. Johnson to this position are the same character flaws that have dogged his entire career: his persistent lying and flagrant disregard for the codes and conventions that necessarily underlie public life.
The Daily Mail leader Today, millions of his desperate supporters must feel like making exactly the same gesture. Because the prime minister is on the verge of being dethroned. It’s almost unbelievable. Less than three years ago, Boris Johnson led the Conservative Party to a landslide victory with a message of hope and optimism for a nation. Today, his government seems determined to self-absorb. A series of dirty scandals and regicide plots in recent months have already destabilized Mr Johnson and the country at the worst possible time. The Mail is calling on Tory loyalists to stand by their leader in these difficult times and let him get on with the job of running the country. The backbench coup failed and despite a trickle of low-level resignations, the party could rediscover its common cause and sense of purpose. However, the dam broke yesterday…
Perhaps there is still a way forward for Boris. But if he is mortally wounded, those fighting to take his crown should remember: Britain can only prosper under a government operating on true Tory principles – low taxes, free markets and making the most of Brexit.
Stephen Glover in the Daily Mail Six weeks ago I expressed my fear in these pages that “Boris’ idiocy over Partygate symbolizes a wider unfitness for office that can never be corrected”. That – plus his lack of a coherent policy plan – remains my opinion. Alas – in so many ways. Under different circumstances, Boris Johnson could have been a lasting success. He has so many gifts. And he is – whatever his critics say – a decent and generous man. But after all that has happened and despite his achievements, he now seems a doomed prime minister. Yes, what a waste and tragedy that was.
The Sun leader: Last chance Time is running out for Boris Johnson. After yesterday’s chaos, the Tory party may decide that time is up. What we care about is the plight of Sun readers. With the appointment of the impressive Nadhim Zahawi as his chancellor, we must hope that he has finally got the message… Despite his majority, Boris now has so many enemies in his ranks that it seems unlikely that he will be able to use it with good effect. But he has to try. The Prime Minister and his new chancellor must cut duty and VAT on fuel and green levies and VAT on energy – then start cutting other taxes to create growth and boost investment. He must reduce the size of the state. Last night’s cabinet resignations make his position risky to say the least. Unless it delivers for the British people at short notice it will be completely unsustainable.
The Daily Telegraph leader, Mr Johnson, is nothing short of a fighter and could look to dig up and overhaul his top team, although it’s anybody’s guess who would want to join him at the moment. Today he faces Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons and is then due to appear before a committee of senior MPs for a lengthy session attended by some of his fiercest critics in his own party. No one promises it will be an easy relationship if they feel encouraged to continue…
Lord Frost in the Daily Telegraph This country now faces enormous challenges. Facing them requires not only the ability to talk about a vision, but also the determination and grit to establish a reliable path to it. It requires a leader who knows where he wants to take the country and can articulate how he intends to get there in a way that is consistent with the traditional conservative vision. I was hoping that Boris Johnson would be that person, but I realized that despite his undoubted skills, he just can’t be.
Philip Johnstone, Daily Telegraph columnist Finally, and dramatically, it all falls apart. After waiting months to see if any senior cabinet member had a backbone, we now find that there are at least two vertebrates. Maybe they’ll show more of their backbone today
The Daily Express Leader This political drama could be the catalyst for a new era in Johnson’s premiership, in which he seeks to transform the country with even greater ambition. Those who still respect his campaigning genius but are horrified by mistakes and blunders will now be watching the prime minister intently for evidence that he can unite the party and quickly change Britain for the better. Mr Johnson will use his legendary gifts of persuasion to renew the faith of MPs. Instead of choreographing a graceful retreat, this prime minister plans to put his foot down and accelerate forward. His will to win is his strongest weapon and he will relish the challenge of going up against those who think he is finished.
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