‘Let us refuse to dance to the tune of the media’: Boris Johnson’s full speech to Tory MPs

Graham (Brady), many thanks for convening this meeting. And I have to tell you I am glad that this vote is finally taking place, because tonight we have a chance to end the media-driven focus on the leadership of the Conservative party. And if you will give me your support tonight, we have the chance to stop talking about ourselves and start talking exclusively about what we are doing for the people of this country. And, instead of getting into some hellish groundhog day debate about the merit of belonging to the single market relitigating questions that we settled two-and-a half years ago, we can get on. We can deliver. And we can unite. And you all know what an incredible force we can be when we are united. The people in this room won the biggest electoral victory for the Conservatives for 40 years under my leadership. And if you don’t believe that we can come back from our current position, and win again, then you haven’t looked at my own record or the record of this party.