Boris is still the best man to lead Britain
THE Prime Minister returns to his desk today after an impressive display of statesmanship on the world stage.
Following a Commonwealth conference in Rwanda aimed at building a common future, he returned to Europe to galvanise Nato and a wavering G7 into hardening their support for Ukraine.
Sadly, though, his achievements were overshadowed by yet another Tory sleaze row, leading to inevitable further attacks on his leadership. There are even reports that rebel backbenchers are plotting another attempt at regicide – just a month after the last one failed.
When will this self-mutilation end? Yes, the Chris Pincher affair is ghastly and should have been handled better. But there are far bigger issues at stake.
There’s a painful cost of living crunch, war in Europe and a migration crisis. Meanwhile, Tony Blair and his embittered Remainer chums are on a renewed mission to strangle Brexit.
Instead of dissipating energy on brainless infighting, the parliamentary Conservative Party needs to focus on the problems its constituents actually care about. They can only do that by getting behind their leader.
For all his recent troubles – some selfinflicted – this paper unequivocally believes Boris Johnson is the right man to lead the party and the country.
None of the potential replacements has his almost unique ability to connect with voters across the social and political spectrum. Crucially, he is the only one capable of winning the next election.
It won’t be easy. There have been many missteps and Downing Street needs seriously to up its game. But if ministers and backbenchers can reunite and rediscover their sense of purpose, it’s not too late. That means the self-harm has to stop now. Voters won’t elect a party at war with itself.
The alternative is too bleak to imagine. Labour can’t hope to form a majority government, so would create an alliance of chaos with Lib Dems, Scots Nats and anyone else it could drag in.
The likely consequences are the break-up of the union, proportional representation and the quagmire of permanent coalition. It is the duty of every Tory MP to dedicate themselves to averting that catastrophe. If they fail, they will not be forgiven.