They hoped for the biggest comeback since Lazarus. A few months ago, it looked just about plausible. After the restoration of Johnson, so the dream went, there’d be a contrived vote in the Commons to call off the “kangaroo court” select committee into Johnson lying to parliament, and the Tories would be catapulted into a 10-point lead over Labour, a fifth term in office, and all would be well again in our unicorn cakeist kingdom.
Things haven’t quite turned out like that, and the present conference in Bournemouth of something called the Conservative Democratic Organisation, or CDO, demonstrates not how strong the cult of Boris is these days, but how rapidly marginalised it has become. Marginalised from power for the moment that is, but with immense capacity to cause trouble now and into the future as the party stumbles towards a historic defeat.
Given that the main effect of the CDO is to demonstrate to a bemused public precisely how hopelessly shambolic, divided and confused our governing party is, the group should be more accurately termed the “Conservative Democratic Disorganisation”, such is its power to create further mayhem at a time when the present administration is anyway very obviously unravelling.
That said, things could have been even worse for Sunak and his beleaguered gang at the top of the party had Johnson himself turned up in person (he instead appeared via video message). So they made do with the likes of Jacob Rees-Mogg, Nadine Dorries and Priti Patel instead. That’s right, the usual suspects.
This story is from the May 14, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 14, 2023 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Marvel's latest promo video treats its viewers like idiots
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ will ‘make enemies with Disney’ and ‘lower your IQ’... and that’s according to its own star! Louis Chilton finds the film’s ironic sales pitch mirthless
Coldplay haters get a life...or should that be viva la vida
As the British band prepare to headline Glastonbury for a record-breaking fifth time, Mark Beaumont assesses their legacy and questions why some critics are still so disdainful
Future of fashion is at stake
Clothing brand The Vampire’s Wife, co-founded by Susie Cave, helped define idiosyncratic British glamour. Its sudden closing down reflects an industry in peril
The sickening truth of the Nazi camp on British soil
For years, debate has raged about how many died in the occupation of Channel Island Alderney. It was no ‘miniAuschwitz’ but there were atrocities
Boehly has turned Chelsea into England's silliest club
Have they ever thought the problem might be them? Obviously not, of course, because that might take a level of self-awareness or humility and the capacity to acknowledge the failings at Chelsea start at the top.
Lookman sets Dublin alight and makes Atalanta history
Ademola Lookman’s lift-off finally brings Xabi Alonso down to earth.
Two uncapped players in Scotland Euro 2024 squad
Liverpool’s Ben Doak, 18, included as injury rules out three
Inflation is down but devil is in detail for homeowners
Across the economy, price rises slowed significantly in April with the rate of inflation declining to 2.3 per cent from 3.2 per cent.
M&S has the 'wind in its sails' as profits surge 58%
Retail giant says past year’s results the best since 1997
Kashmiris reject Modi's claims over record turnout
PM insists high voter numbers vindicate controversial BJP policies but locals say opposite