Tories Row Over Rishi Sunak Swerving Vote On Boris Johnson Partygate Report
5 min read
A new row has erupted in the Conservative party over Rishi Sunak's decision to skip the potential vote on the Privileges Committee's conclusion that Boris Johnson misled parliament over partygate, with moderate Tory MPs urging the Prime Minister to show "leadership" and endorse the report.
One former secretary of state told PoliticsHome it was "very obvious" that Sunak didn't want to irk Johnson's most ardent backers, but that he should have the strength to "take him on".
Early on Monday afternoon, MPs were still waiting to learn whether Commons Speaker Lindsday Hoyle decides to hold a vote on the report this evening, with a high number of Tory MPs expected to abstain.
The report published last week concluded that Johnson deliberately misled parliament about his knowledge of parties held in Downing Street while pandemic restrictions were in place, and said that it would have recommended suspending the former prime minister for 90 days had he not already stepped down as an MP, as well as revoking his access to parliament.
Sunak is among Conservative MPs planning to abstain in the event of a vote, according to his spokesperson who has confirmed that a meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and other engagements meant he would not be able to participate.
The PM's spokeperson also refused to spell out Sunak's opinion on the report, saying he believed it would be wrong to "influence" the views of MPs ahead of what would be a free vote - in which Tories would be free to vote in whatever way they choose.
"He thinks it is right to respect the process and enable members to express their views freely without looking to influence that decision," Sunak's spokesperson said. "Obviously, we will respect the decision that the House collectively agrees to."
They refused to confirm where Sunak stands on the findings, and said "he thinks his focus should rightly be on the priorities of the public".
But several MPs on the moderate wing of the Tory party, which is generally more critical of Johnson, expressed disappointment that Sunak did not intend to participate.
"It would show more leadership if you pick a side on this," said an ex-secretary of state.
They felt that rather than following public opinion, it was "very obvious that [Downing Street] clearly don't want to annoy Boris' people".
"But if [Sunak] thinks peace is going break out, that's a forlorn hope," they continued. "Whatever happens, there are a number of people close to Boris who want him [Sunak] to fail. He may as well take him on."
Another former government minister said it was "a little surprising" to learn that the Prime Minister was not willing to endorse the Privileges Committee report.
They added that Sunak would not be able to maintain his current position of not expressing a view on its findings for long.
“He’s going to have to say something," they told PoliticsHome.
The MP said they would vote for the motion if a vote does take place later.
They added: "It's not about Boris Johnson, it’s about what you can trust what is said in the House."
There are MPs who think the Prime Minister's position is correct, however, with one senior back bencher saying Sunak was acting in accordance with the principles of a free vote.
PoliticsHome reported on Thursday that most Conservative MPs were expected to abstain on the report if it was put to a House of Commons vote. Numerous are expected to be campaigning in seats where by-elections will soon take place, while there is a large group of Tory back benchers – including some who are by no means supporters of Johnson – who felt that the committee's recommended punishment for the ex-Tory leader was over the top.
One former cabinet minister, who is a major critic of Johnson, said the punitive measures suggested by the committee, describing were akin to "kicking the corpse while it is on the floor".
They told PoliticsHome: "To deny him a members pass just looks spiteful."
Another Conservative MP said lots of Tory back benchers were planning to abstain on Monday night if there is a vote because they want to strike a balance between respecting the integrity of the commitee's members - who have been publicly attacked by some of Johnson's most fervant backers - and not wanting to approve sanctions that they feel go too far.
"A lot of colleagues are abstaining for the same reason, which is that they feel that the recommended penalty is harsh. But on the other hand, they don't want to give the impression that they're dissatisfied with a report that has been prepared by colleagues," they said.
"The integrity of the members of the committee has been called into question fairly heavily, and there's a general feeling that that's over the top. But there's a feeling that the recommended penalties over the top as well."
Labour leader Keir Starmer this morning told Sunak to "show leadership" and "come into parliament" to take part in the vote if it takes place.
"I want to see the Prime Minister there when I arrive back in Parliament because he has to show leadership," he told the BBC Breakfast.
"What his predecessor got up to was unacceptable. If the Prime Minister wants to lead he has to come into parliament and vote in this debate this afternoon to show where he stands on this issue."
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