Boris Johnson’s Brexit rally was everything that No 10 had been dreading. Queues for the event began three hours in advance and saw activists block stairways and corridors across the conference hall in a bid to see the former foreign secretary’s moment in the spotlight. Some members in the audience even dressed up for the occasion – with Boris Johnson t-shirts. The front row was filled with Johnson’s Parliamentary supporters – including David Davis, Zac Goldsmith and Iain Duncan Smith. His siblings – Jo and Rachel – were notably absent despite both attending this year’s conference.
Proving he is still a star attraction, Johnson received a standing ovation as soon as he arrived on stage. He then proceeded to rev up the crowd by revealing his vision – perhaps manifesto? – for both the Conservative party and the country. Johnson played to the party faithful and put some clear blue water between himself and the current regime. He said that there should be no tax rises, called for more stop and search – something Theresa May prides herself on curbing – and said it was time to embrace conservatism rather than lurch to the Left. Given that this conference has seen May announce a number of Labour-lite policies such as a ban on tips to companies this seemed rather barbed.
Notable points in the Boris manifesto included how he would beat Corbyn:
‘Not by imitating them – not by capering insincerely on Labour turf: we won’t get anywhere by metaphorically acquiring beards and string vests and allotments – but by systematically pointing out the damage they would do.’
He went on to housing – and the ‘massive opportunity’ the Tories had to build more:
‘It is a disgraceful fact that we now have lower rates of owner occupation – for under 40s – than the French or the Germans. But it is also a massive opportunity for us Tories. If we rise to the challenge, if we get it right, it is an open goal, because this is one of those critical issues where, in the phrase of Chris Patten, the facts of life do always turn out to be Conservative.’
On Brexit, Johnson received the loudest cheers. He said it was time to ‘chuck Chequers’ and took aim at the Michael Gove approach of just getting out of the EU then improving the situation later. This comment received the loudest applause of the whole session. Johnson also suggested that the authors of the Chequers proposal – presumably Olly Robbins and one Theresa May – could be tried in court under the 14th century statute of praemunire which says that ‘no foreign court or government shall have jurisdiction in this country’.
Despite suggesting Theresa May could face a criminal trial, Johnson ended the session by insisting that he was only trying to help the Prime Minister:
‘And so for one last time, I urge our friends in government to deliver what the people voted for, to back Theresa May in the best way possible, by softly, quietly, and sensibly backing her original plan. And in so doing to believe in conservatism and to believe in Britain.’
Johnson’s call to ‘back Theresa May in the best way possible’ shows that as things stand he does not think he has the numbers or support for a successful leadership challenge. It’s certainly the case that while his antics have delighted activists, the bulk of Tory MPs – who he must rely on to succeed in both a ‘no confidence’ vote and an eventual challenge – are not entertained. However, with each intervention Johnson walks closer to the line. If May does end up making a big concession to Brussels – such as freedom of movement – Johnson could cross it.
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