Boris Johnson's Downfall Revealed in Attack on Rishi Sunak

Boris Johnson has issued a warning that the Conservative Party is "drifting to defeat" under Rishi Sunak's leadership, conveniently overlooking the fact that the party had a poor poll rating when he himself was forced out of Downing Street.

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In a series of interviews with Nadine Dorries, the former prime minister expressed his frustration with the Tories' electoral prospects. However, it is worth noting that at the end of his tenure, the party trailed behind Labour by double digits in the polls. The Times reports on Johnson's concerns.

Johnson appears to understand that Sunak believes the public has grown weary of his leadership and desires a change. However, Johnson emphasized the importance of presenting a clear agenda for change to the country, recognizing that people may feel frustrated.

When Boris Johnson announced his resignation on July 7, 2022, YouGov polling indicated that Labour enjoyed an 11-point lead over the Conservatives, with 40% support compared to the Tories' 29%. It was clear that Johnson's immediate successor further diminished the Tories' popularity.

By September 29, 2022, amid the market turmoil caused by Liz Truss' mini-Budget, the same YouGov poll showed Labour soaring with a 33-point lead over the Conservatives. However, the latest survey suggests that Sunak has somewhat recovered, narrowing Labour's advantage to 21 points.

In Sunak's highlighted King's Speech, which outlined his priorities, attention-grabbing policies included harsher sentences for serious criminals, compelling defendants to appear in court for sentencing, and a gradual smoking ban. Amidst all this, Johnson expressed his immense frustration that his 80-seat majority and what he considered to be a fantastic agenda were squandered.

The circumstances leading to Johnson's resignation in July of the previous year were closely tied to the Owen Paterson scandal and partygate, as nearly 60 ministers resigned from his government. An analysis by PA News revealed a significant decline in Johnson's personal poll rating during this period, coinciding with Labour's rise to a commanding lead over the Tories.