Boris versus Tory Rebels - the biggest non-clash of the decade

Philip Hammond with Boris Johnson (Image: PoliticsHome.com)

Many like to believe that the Labour Party is a 'broad church' with there being a clear 'left wing' and 'right wing' of the organisation, using Jeremy Corbyn and Tony Blair as primary examples of this. However, when I hear this, I often want to challenge that opinion as I believe they are more similar than they care to admit. If you're using the two men in question, for example, both ran for MP and joined Labour during the rise of Margaret Thatcher, when the party appeared 'too left' to vote for. They're just too stubborn to admit they're as 'left wing' or 'right wing' as each other.

With a general election just around the corner, if you believe in the political rumour mill, Labour seem to have calmed the storm. The atmosphere in the Party reminds me of 2017 when suddenly, those sceptical of Corbyn found themselves supporting his leadership's manifesto and toning down their criticism. Whether this is largely down to Corbyn's watered down policy on the EU exit, or that they want to secure their seat for another (up to) five years, remains the question. But we cannot deny that Labour's promise of delivering a referendum, with the public choosing between the Party's version of a deal with Brussels and 'remain', has gone down well with its faithful.

While Labour appear to have quietened down (as in no resignations in recent months), there's a very different atmosphere in the Conservative camp. The party in blue is going through an internal crisis. Nearly two dozen MPs were dramatically booted out of the Party for daring to vote against Johnson's vision for Brexit; who have now either defected to the Liberal Democrats, battle on as an Independent, or choose never to run as a politician in the next general election.

Not only have politicians been deselected, but Johnson has ruffled feathers of those who only weeks ago fell over backwards for a key role in his government. Recently departed Department of Work and Pensions Secretary, Amber Rudd, and former Business Minister, Jo Johnson (yes, Boris's brother) decided that they won't be running as MPs in the next general election, giving up on being Conservatives and politicians altogether.

Just some of the Tory rebels (Image: Metro)

Whether these big changes are down to Boris Johnson himself or the leadership's approach to how Britain leaves the European Union, it's hard to tell. My impression that it could be a cocktail of reasons. However, like my analysis of Labour, I find myself scratching my head at why the now-former Tories are turning their back on the Party and Boris Johnson.

It isn't as if Johnson is new to frontline politics. He was Mayor of London for eight years, one which at least the vast majority of Tories absolutely relished, considering how he won two elections. He would also work with some of the rebel MPs during his time as the capital chief, whether it's though transport or devolution including:

• For a brief period, Nick Boles worked for Boris Johnson in 2008 as the former Mayor's Chief of Staff, identified as a huge figure for Johnson and then Tory leader David Cameron by the Daily Telegraph.
• Justine Greening, between 2009 and 2010, was Shadow London Minister and one can only imagine she worked closely with Boris Johnson in that position. In that position, she was able to excel and was subsequently promoted as Economic Secretary to the Treasury when David Cameron was handed keys to Downing Street.
• Greening again formed close alliances with Johnson over their opposition to the expansion of Heathrow Airport and the former Mayor was angered when she was replaced as Transport Secretary in 2012. Of course, Johnson dropped his opposition earlier this year.

Regardless of how closely the rebels worked with the now Prime Minister, I'm sure they collectively played their bit to significantly contribute to Johnson's rise and opened a path for him to be handed over the keys to Downing Street. If they showed concern about how 'too right wing' he is from the start, I'm not sure how far he'd have gone to achieving that ultimate goal of being PM. At least Ken Clarke has always been consistent about describing the 'disastrous' idea of Johnson being Prime Minister. In my mind though, I don't believe his political alignment has changed over the past 15 years. To me, his character, personality and policies remain the same.

Stanley Johnson with Boris (Image: thetimes.co.uk)

Don't get me wrong, Johnson is misguided to even think of dismissing the Tories he had. Johnson was brought up with Conservatism in his blood. His father, Stanley, was a Tory MEP between 1979 and 1984, and most of his children spent much of their lives publicly campaigning that way. With this in mind, he has to think of other Tory veterans that he turned his back on. Philip Hammond has been a Tory probably since Johnson was knee high. Ken Clarke has probably been a Tory since before Johnson was born. They all have the same belief system and most probably list at least one of Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher as their heroes.

Johnson was ill-advised to fire those MPs who have genuine concerns about Britain leaving the European Union without a deal. It's a bit like me being sacked as a Chelsea fan for saying we deserved to lose a match. In politics, we must allow a degree of honesty, respect and debate. We're not seeing that at the moment. These MPs should have the confidence of saying they have concerns about their boss's brash approaches without thinking they'll have their membership cards snatched and snapped.

The problem we have here is that Johnson is so fixated on leaving on 31st October - yes, this month - that he is ignoring the complexities of doing so without a Brussels deal. They can argue that businesses are ready all they like, but with such a small handful of days to go, we are still none the wiser about what this 'leave' will look like, so how are businesses truly ready?

If I was the Prime Minister, I'd not have set a leave date, and still be able to show that determination that Britain will cease EU membership. Timing is everything and setting precise targets, however realistic it may sound in our heads, poses a big risk, regardless of the sector you work in.

In the meantime, once the situation in Westminster calms down - I remain optimistic of this happening - I hope that those who dissociated themselves with the Tories are able to find their inner happiness and return to their equilibrium, as clearly they're not there. I know there will be a day when party politics will be a distant memory, but right now isn't that moment. Neither is it the right time to start new parties, as Hammond and Rudd are reportedly hoping to form.