Conservatives who now complain about Boris Johnson’s failings knew all of his weaknesses when they chose him as their leader
There is a growing chorus in the Conservative party calling for the prime minister to be less like Boris Johnson. That does not mean MPs are ready to replace him, but his style, once cherished for campaign effectiveness, is now seen as a governing liability.
Disillusionment over the prime minister’s handling of the Owen Paterson lobbying scandal and its aftermath has been compounded by a vacuous, poorly delivered speech to business leaders on Monday. Hostile briefing from inside the government has created the impression of profound dysfunction at the top.
