Boris Johnson told leadership will be 'on the table' without lockdown exit strategy

Steve Baker, pictured, said: "People are telling me they are losing faith in our Conservative Party leadership because they are not standing up for our values as a party" - Victoria Jones/PA
Steve Baker, pictured, said: "People are telling me they are losing faith in our Conservative Party leadership because they are not standing up for our values as a party" - Victoria Jones/PA
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter
Coronavirus Article Bar with counter

Boris Johnson has been warned by a senior Conservative MP that his leadership will be "on the table" if the Government fails to set out an exit strategy from the coronavirus restrictions.

Steve Baker, the deputy chairman of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group of Tories, on Thursday urged colleagues to step up their campaign on the Prime Minister over coronavirus rules.

A past leader of the hardline Brexiters known as the Spartans, Mr Baker was seen as a key architect of Theresa May’s downfall.

In a missive to colleagues, he said: "I am sorry to have to say this again and as bluntly as this: it is imperative you equip the Chief Whip today with your opinion that debate will become about the PM's leadership if the Government does not set out a clear plan for when our full freedoms will be restored, with a guarantee that this strategy will not be used again next winter."

His message addressed the prospect of new restrictions being levied in coming days if the data shows the current lockdown is not reducing the rate of Covid-19 cases sufficiently fast to protect the NHS from collapsing.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a coronavirus press conference at 10 Downing Street - Alberto Pezzali/AP
Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he speaks during a coronavirus press conference at 10 Downing Street - Alberto Pezzali/AP

Ministers have discussed options for new rules, including a proposal to remove the provision for two people from different households to exercise together amid fears it is being misused for socialising.

Urging the Prime Minister to jettison the proposals, Mr Baker said: "If we continue forward with a strategy that hammers freedom, hammers the private sector, hammers small business owners and hammers the poor, inevitably the Prime Minister's leadership will be on the table: we strongly do not want that after all we have been through as a country."

He raised concerns that without pressure from Tory backbenchers “events will become inevitable”, adding: “We must take stock today and act now to avoid severe problems a little later.”

"People are telling me they are losing faith in our Conservative Party leadership because they are not standing up for our values as a party,” he said.

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner seized on Mr Baker’s passionate appeal.

She said: "The British people need a Government that is committed to defeating this virus and getting Britain vaccinated.

"Instead, the day after our country recorded the highest daily death toll since this crisis started, the Conservatives are playing politics and fighting amongst themselves. "