In a scathing analysis of the recent general election results, Boris Johnson has pointed a finger at Nigel Farage, claiming that the Reform UK leader played a “significant” role in the “destruction” of the Conservative Party. According to Johnson, the Conservatives suffered a crushing defeat with many big-name casualties, while Labour emerged victorious with a landslide victory. Farage’s Reform UK managed to secure five seats in the House of Commons, including one for Farage himself in Clacton, Essex.
Johnson acknowledged that the reasons behind the Tories’ loss of so many MPs were “complex”. However, he singled out Reform UK as the main factor contributing to their downfall. He shared an anecdote about a Tory MP who was confident of winning, only to realize at the last minute that thousands of Tory voters were opting for Reform, ultimately giving Labour the edge in the election. This pattern, repeated across the political landscape, led to the landslide victory for Labour.
In his Daily Mail column, Johnson did not shy away from criticizing Nigel Farage, referring to him as the “cheroot-puffing Pied Piper of Clacton” who intentionally played a role in the Tories’ defeat. Johnson suggested that Farage’s actions had contributed significantly to the downfall of the Tory government.
Despite his own forced resignation in June 2022, Johnson offered some advice for the Tories moving forward. He cautioned against hastily getting rid of successful, election-winning leaders, emphasizing the need for stability and continuity within the party. Johnson also defended his own leadership, citing polls that showed the Conservatives were only a few points behind before his resignation.
Aside from Johnson’s assessment, other voices within the Conservative Party have also been critical of the leadership. Conservative peer Lord Patten placed the blame for the election results squarely on Boris Johnson and his successor Liz Truss. Patten described the party as being in ruins due to internal fractures, poor policies, and a lack of values, rather than external factors like Rishi Sunak.
As the Labour Party settles into government, the Tories are now facing a leadership vacuum following Rishi Sunak’s resignation. While no official candidates have declared their intentions to run for the leadership position, names like Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, and James Cleverly are expected to put themselves forward. The party will need to navigate these challenging times and rebuild its image in order to regain the trust of the electorate.
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