Tory MPs attack Boris in local papers

It’s easier than ever for Tory MPs to attack the PM. Whereas once media was the preserve of four channels and dominated by a handful of national papers, platforms like Twitter have made it quicker than ever before for Conservative backbenchers to issue stinging criticisms. And indeed many have made the most of such sites in recent weeks, as the pressure on Boris Johnson over partygate steadily increases. Tim Loughton became the sixth Tory MP to call for Johnson to go on Saturday, taking to Facebook to explain his decision.

Some though prefer to express their criticisms through the more traditional mechanism of an MPs’ weekly column in the local constituency newspaper. And, in a sign which should worry No. 10, it’s the new boys and girls of Parliament who are among the angriest in their scribblings on lockdown-breaking shenanigans. Chris Loder, first elected in 2019, wrote on Thursday in the Bridport & Lyme Regis News that ‘I and most of my colleagues feel deeply embarrassed and humiliated by such revelations.’