Progressive parties must use this opportunity to present a clear alternative to the electorate, writes Chris Miller. Plus letters from Douglas Gowans, John Rhodes, Helen Zisul, Graham Badley and Peter McIlhenny
From the perspective of the opposition parties, Boris Johnson’s victory in Monday’s confidence vote could prove to be a good result (What the Tories now offer Britain – a lame duck leader and a party that has lost the plot, 7 June). Had he lost, the focus would be on a Tory leadership contest, followed by a honeymoon period for whoever emerged as his successor.
With 41% of Tory MPs voting against him, Johnson is severely weakened. Defeats in the two upcoming byelections would make both “red wall” Tories and those in the south, vulnerable to Liberal Democrat gains, very anxious indeed. In such circumstances, Johnson would be unlikely to survive further inevitable leadership challenges, leaving the party divided and scrambling to prevent its unravelling at the next election.
