South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland backs Prime Minister Boris Johnson to lead the Tories into the next General Election.
However, he revealed that he had told the Prime Minister to look in the mirror and do better.
Interviewed on a breakfast news programme following what many commentators are describing as disastrous by-election losses in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton, Sir Robert was asked whether Mr Johnson should remain.
Sir Robert, who was Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor in the Johnson Cabinet until last autumn's reshuffle, said: "He was elected just over two years ago with a thumping mandate from the British people. He has delivered on important issues like Brexit and covid. I don't think that throwing over the captain now would be the right response.
"It would be, once again, Conservative MPs turning in on themselves and worrying about themselves rather than listening to constituents and fellow residents as I do here in Swindon."
Sir Robert added: "This is a much bigger story than the story of one man and his career. He needs to, as I've said to him myself, look in the mirror and make sure that he does better, and I think, therefore, the next couple of years are the time for him to prove to all of us that that can be done and for the Conservative Party to demonstrate that it is still capable of governing this country as it has done, I believe, so well in the past."
Asked about the by-elections, which saw the Conservatives beaten by Labour in Wakefield and the LibDems in Tiverton and Honiton, Sir Robert said: "I think the two by-election results are the product of a perfect storm. You have real challenges for the Government in terms of inflation, cost of living, economic pressures which are growing in our country and are felt by all of us, and then the problems at Westminster - Partygate - and the fallout from the very recent no confidence vote.
"You've got this confluence of events that have really resulted in two very, very bad results for the Government last night."
Sir Robert also praised former Conservative Chairman Oliver Dowden, who has resigned from the role, as an outstanding public servant and a good friend of many years.
The South Swindon MP said of the by-election results: "I don't think this should be blamed on the party organisation. Everything that I could see demonstrated that things were working well organisationally.
"No, this is about events and the public, voters in both these seats who came out to vote, registering their deep concern at the course of events, and that has to be listened to."
Interviewed on a breakfast news programme following what many commentators are describing as disastrous by-election losses in Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton, Sir Robert was asked whether Mr Johnson should remain.
Sir Robert, who was Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor in the Johnson Cabinet until last autumn's reshuffle, said: "He was elected just over two years ago with a thumping mandate from the British people. He has delivered on important issues like Brexit and covid. I don't think that throwing over the captain now would be the right response.
"It would be, once again, Conservative MPs turning in on themselves and worrying about themselves rather than listening to constituents and fellow residents as I do here in Swindon."
Sir Robert added: "This is a much bigger story than the story of one man and his career. He needs to, as I've said to him myself, look in the mirror and make sure that he does better, and I think, therefore, the next couple of years are the time for him to prove to all of us that that can be done and for the Conservative Party to demonstrate that it is still capable of governing this country as it has done, I believe, so well in the past."
Asked about the by-elections, which saw the Conservatives beaten by Labour in Wakefield and the LibDems in Tiverton and Honiton, Sir Robert said: "I think the two by-election results are the product of a perfect storm. You have real challenges for the Government in terms of inflation, cost of living, economic pressures which are growing in our country and are felt by all of us, and then the problems at Westminster - Partygate - and the fallout from the very recent no confidence vote.
"You've got this confluence of events that have really resulted in two very, very bad results for the Government last night."
Sir Robert also praised former Conservative Chairman Oliver Dowden, who has resigned from the role, as an outstanding public servant and a good friend of many years.
The South Swindon MP said of the by-election results: "I don't think this should be blamed on the party organisation. Everything that I could see demonstrated that things were working well organisationally.
"No, this is about events and the public, voters in both these seats who came out to vote, registering their deep concern at the course of events, and that has to be listened to."
Your Comments
Be the first to comment on this article
Login or Register to post a comment on this article