British voters delivered a clear verdict on Boris Johnson as a string of scandals translated into losses at the ballot box. Pressure mounted on the prime minister to step aside after the Conservative Party slipped in two by-elections held in contrasting parts of the United Kingdom on Thursday.
These elections represented the first major test since questions about party leadership and governance began to surface. The results underscored a broad sense of frustration and anger among voters toward Johnson. In the wake of the vote, Oliver Dowden resigned as Conservative party chair, stating he and many others were shocked and disappointed by recent developments. He acknowledged that continuing as if nothing had changed would be unacceptable and that accountability was required. His resignation letter hinted at a wider call for responsibility within the party. Johnson, who was on an official visit abroad in Rwanda, had warned beforehand that he would not resign despite the setbacks. After the results, he reiterated that he would not step down, noting the public mood while attributing part of the challenge to rising living costs. The central question for the party now is whether further resignations will trigger a leadership change from within, or whether a path can be found to move forward without removing him.
Conservative defeat at home
Tiverton and Honiton, a constituency in Devon in southwestern England, had never before voted against the Conservatives in a national election. In 2019 the party won with a dominant majority of almost 25,000 votes, but that margin was overturned as Liberal Democrat candidate Richard Foord won by more than 6,000 votes. The swing was unprecedented and raised questions about the Conservatives’ ability to defend seats in traditional strongholds. Foord’s victory sent a strong message about voters’ demand for change at the national level, prompting remarks that this was a moment for the party to reflect on its direction and leadership. “Tonight the people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken on behalf of England”, Foord said, signaling a broader message that the time for Boris Johnson’s leadership may be drawing to a close.
The second contest, Wakefield in West Yorkshire, sits in a region once known for strong Labour support. The seat, located in the north of England, returned to Labour with the election of Simon Lightwood, ending decades of Conservative presence in that area. Observers noted that Wakefield’s result reflected a broader loss of appetite for Conservative governance and a growing sense that the party has struggled to articulate a coherent plan. Keir Starmer, Labour’s leader, suggested the outcome represented a judgment that the Conservatives were losing energy and ideas for the country’s future. The mood in Wakefield, as in Tiverton and Honiton, signaled an electorate seeking change rather than more of the same.
Call to remove Johnson
The double defeat dealt a heavy blow to Johnson’s political standing and future prospects. Support for the Conservative Party among working-class and middle-class voters showed strain, and the party’s ability to present a compelling alternative to Labour was questioned. Although a no-confidence vote had already occurred earlier in the month, and a sizable minority of Conservative MPs voted against him, the path to removing Johnson remains uncertain under current rules. Any change could hinge on the operations of the 1922 Committee, which could alter procedures to allow another motion of no confidence, but such a move could take considerable time under present rules.
Just over two years ago, Johnson led the Conservatives to a remarkable victory, delivering an 80-seat majority in the House of Commons. His appeal spread across traditional southern strongholds and into central and northern industrial regions. Yet a string of personal scandals grew into public fatigue and a sense that political accountability had slipped. The results have left him as a controversial figure, one who can still draw crowds and loyalty but who also faces fierce opposition and mockery from others. Recent polling indicates a portion of the public believes Johnson should resign, reflecting a broader shift in how voters view leadership and integrity. The political landscape now bristles with questions: will the party recalibrate its leadership, or will it endure a period of internal turmoil while seeking a path forward in a difficult national climate? (Source: BBC)