Is the Boris campaign losing momentum? The former prime minister’s supporters had briefed journalists that Johnson has 100 MPs backing him so can enter the race should he wish to. But the number of MPs who have publicly backed Johnson is much lower at 59, vs Rishi Sunak’s 131 (and a lonely 24 for Penny Mordaunt). That means either there are a lot of Boris backers who are very shy – or that the claim is inaccurate and he’s facing an uphill struggle to hit the threshold.
If Johnson hits 100 and reaches the membership, his supporters believe the Tory grassroots will back him over Sunak
Johnson supporters have been keen to suggest that the bulk of Sunak’s support comes from the left of the party – ergo meaning Sunak can’t be a unifier. But there are signs that this is changing. Lord Frost, his former ally, has endorsed Sunak as Steve Baker and David Davis, both arch Brexiteers.
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