Today, Boris Johnson exacted retribution against one of his most vocal Tory detractors for refusing to back his administration.
Tobias Ellwood, a former minister, lost his party whip after he abstained in yesterday night’s Commons confidence vote.
However, the action is likely to be perceived as being solely motivated by the PM’s wish to exact revenge on a backbencher who has made no secret of his dislike for him.
Former soldier and head of the Defense Committee Mr. Ellwood is now on an official visit to Moldova.
He was one of 12 Tories who abstained in the confidence vote last night, which Mr Johnson comfortably won 349 to 238, thanks to his huge majority.
A spokeswoman for the Tory Whips Office said: ‘Tobias Ellwood MP has lost the Conservative Party whip following his failure to vote in support of the Government in the confidence vote last night.’
In order to maintain a fair distribution of the voting groupings, ministers and backbenchers having legitimate excuses to be absent from Parliament during votes are typically paired with individuals in comparable positions in the opposing parties.
Why Mr. Ellwood wasn’t matched last night is unclear. Despite not running in the election to succeed Mr. Johnson, he has long been a Remainer and a critic of the Prime Minister, calling for his removal as Tory leader.