Prime Minister Boris Johnson: ‘I’m Not Going to Step Down’

Jenkin: ‘I need you to answer this question Prime Minister...if you have lost the confidence of your MPs and you’re required to step down as leader of the Conservative Party, you will not seek to dissolve Parliament?’

EXCERPT:

JENKIN: “Prime Minister, I wish you to be clear about one thing, if you have lost the confidence of your MPs, you will not seek a dissolution; you will stand aside and allow a leadership election to take place, so that the Queen may send for an alternative leader. That is the proper procedure, isn’t it?”
JOHNSON: “What I’m going to do is get on with the job.”
JENKIN: “No, I need you to answer this question, Prime Minister.”
JOHNSON: “Where you are quite right and where I passionately agree with Will and with you is that I see absolutely no need whatever for an election.”
JENKIN: “Prime Minister, I am going to ask you once more. If you have lost the confidence of your MPs and you are required to step down as leader of the Conservative party, you will not seek to dissolve Parliament. Please confirm that that is the case.”
JOHNSON: “Well, the last thing this country needs —“
JENKIN: “Because this House —“
JOHNSON: “But I am not going to step down. The last thing this country needs, frankly, is an election. What it needs —“
JENKIN: “Because this House —“
JOHNSON: “On the contrary, the risk is that people continue to focus on this type of thing. I think that is a mistake. What we need to do is get on with stable Government.”
JENKIN: “And how would it help the crisis in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis if we were plunged into a general election that nobody wants?”
JOHNSON: “This is your fantasy. I think it would be —“
JENKIN: “Then rule it out. Rule it out.”
JOHNSON: “Of course I rule it out.”
JENKIN: “You’ve ruled it out?”
JOHNSON: “The earliest date that I can see for a general election is two years from now. I think 2024 is the most likely date for the next election. We have a huge amount to deliver. We are going to get on and do it.”
BRYANT: “And you’ll resign if a vote of confidence in the Conservative party is carried?”
JENKIN: “I think we are done.”
BRYANT: “Otherwise, it’s dangerous.”
JOHNSON: “You’re asking me to comment on politics. I think it is important that we get on and deliver on our agenda. That is what I was elected to do.”
JENKIN: “I think it is the understanding of this Committee that you envisage a general election in ’23 or ’24 — not before —“
JOHNSON: “You said 2023.”
JENKIN: “— and that, if you have lost the confidence of your own MPs and you cease to be leader of the Conservative party, you will not plunge this country into an unwanted general election.”
JOHNSON: “I have been very clear with you. I see no reason —“
JENKIN: “Is that a yes or a no?”
JOHNSON: “ — whatever for a general election now. On the contrary, what we need is stable Government, to love each other as Conservatives and to get on with our priorities. That is what we need to do, Sir Bernard, OK?”
JENKIN: “I love all my colleagues in the House of Commons.”
JOHNSON: “Good. Fantastic.”

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