The Stray Ferret has approached all three Harrogate district Conservative MPs for their reaction to this evening’s momentous political developments.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid have both quit the Cabinet amid a row over the handling of misconduct claims against ex-Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher.
Their resignations have sparked frenzied speculation about more Cabinet resignations and whether Boris Johnson will survive as Prime Minister.
We have emailed Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby with Ainsty, asking for their reaction to the resignations and whether they feel Mr Johnson should resign. None has replied yet.
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, has retweeted Mr Sunak and Mr Javid’s resignation statements. Mr Smith has been critical of the government’s decision to rewrite parts of the Brexit deal.
Mr Jones is not active on social media but he was among the Conservative rebels who voted for Mr Johnson to step down last month.
Read more:
- Andrew Jones MP to vote against Boris Johnson tonight
- Lib Dems on course to take Harrogate and Knaresborough, says YouGov
- Ripon MP Julian Smith urges PM not to override Brexit deal
Mr Adams, who is minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office, is regarded as a Johnson loyalist. He last tweeted earlier today about England’s victory over India in the Test match.
David Goode, chair of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, told the Stray Ferret:
“Johnson being Johnson will try to. hang on. Until the wider Conservative Party finally make a decision and get rid of him he will stay as long as he can.
“The Andrew Jones’ of this world have to step up and be counted now.”
