As the Tories prepare for a double defeat in today’s by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton, Boris Johnson dismissed “crazy” calls for him to resign.
The PM struck a confident tone as he and his wife Carrie attended a Commonwealth summit in Rwanda, more than 4,000 miles from the UK.
He will be on a foreign tour for the upcoming week, but there are worries that the unfavorable domestic results could ignite another Conservative uprising.
Since 1991, when John Major was in No. 10, no government has failed to defend two by-election seats on the same day.
Ministers have already practiced their justifications for why mid-term by-elections are challenging for governments to hold. For Mr. Johnson, reducing the severity of the setbacks is crucial.
When reporters questioned Mr. Johnson about the possibility of being forced to resign while he was traveling to Rwanda, he nevertheless maintained a brave face. Are you insane, he asked.
“Come on, it was only a year ago that we won the Hartlepool by-election, which everyone thought was impossible. You see, the Conservative party hadn’t won Hartlepool in a very long time. I don’t believe it has ever.
Generally speaking, governing parties do not prevail in mid-term by-elections. Although I’m very optimistic, there you have it. That is simply the case.
Johnson is exempt from a new vote on his leadership for a year under current Conservative regulations.
On suggestions that the Tory 1922 Committee could alter the rules to permit a challenge earlier, he chose not to respond directly.
“I’m completely committed to advancing this government’s agenda.” The more you talk about the topics you want to discuss with the country, the less you should talk about Westminster concerns, according to my golden rule,” Mr. Johnson added.
As the premier meets with Prince Charles following what appear to be disagreements about the policy of deporting Channel migrants to Rwanda, he faces yet another challenging showdown during his visit.
Before getting on the plane, Mr. Johnson set up a contentious situation by accusing scheme critics of having a “condescending” demeanor.
The heir to the throne is rumored to have called the idea “appalling” in private.
Prince Charles and Mr. Johnson are in attendance for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).
However, the PM has no plans to go to the Kigali residence where illegal immigrants would be sent after being deported.
Tomorrow morning, it is believed that he will meet Charles for a cup of tea, but Mr. Johnson is hesitant to bring up the practice of expelling immigrants who enter without authorization on one-way tickets.
The meeting, which takes place after the ‘appalling’ remark surfaced, will be their first conversation since the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service.
Mr. Johnson said in a statement as he got ready to board a plane for Kigali that the trip is a chance “for us all to grasp for ourselves what that partnership has to offer.”
Let’s hope that this can assist others get over their dismissive views of Rwanda and the potential benefits of this collaboration, he continued.
‘I have no proof for the allegation you’ve just made regarding the prince’s comments,’ Mr. Johnson responded when asked if he would correct the prince. I’m unable to verify that.
What I can say is that the policy is reasonable, measured, and designed to address the horrible mistreatment of innocent persons crossing the Channel.
Even while he stated that he was “looking forward very much to seeing” Charles, he did not indicate whether or not he would be discussing the issue with him.
Despite it being Mr. Johnson’s first trip to the country while occupying No. 10, he has no plans to go to any of the lodging designated for the program.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “You will know that the Prime Minister’s time is always restricted and that he would have to abandon aspects of the agenda when he’s working with a unique mix of world leaders on pretty vital subjects.”
“We believe that the best use of his limited time in Rwanda is to focus on some of the topics that will be discussed at the summit and to collaborate with other world leaders on some of those concerns we’ve discussed, not least Ukraine and international security.”
Prior to a thorough hearing on the scheme’s constitutionality in UK courts, the first flight carrying passengers to Rwanda that was scheduled to depart last week was grounded by successful legal challenges.
One aspect of a £120 million economic agreement with Kigali, the strategy has drawn heavy criticism, in part due to worries over Rwanda’s human rights record.
Despite the deal being struck two months ago, Mr. Johnson remarked that he would be traveling there before any asylum seekers.
No UK court and no international court has pronounced our plan unconstitutional, he added, adding, “I’m cognizant that I’m arriving before anyone who has traveled illegally across the Channel, I cannot conceal that fact from you.”
However, Mr. Johnson stated that he will ‘no doubt’ talk about the plans with Paul Kagame of Rwanda.