Who is popular today?

The prime minister is cautious, but many Tory MPs want a dramatic exit strategy. His problems could start to rack up
When Boris Johnson addresses the nation on Sunday night to unveil his national lockdown plans, it’s not just the public he needs to bring with him: he also needs to convince his own MPs. With the biggest surprise within government being the level of public support for continuing the restrictions on movement, his parliamentary party will prove the harder to persuade.
The coronavirus pandemic means that today’s House of Commons is a virtual one. Only a handful of MPs are allowed in the chamber at any one time; most of them Zoom in from their constituencies. Caucus meetings are not held on the committee corridor but by video conference. Gossip that would have occurred in the members’ tea room either doesn’t materialise or is reduced to WhatsApp and telephone conversations. Continue reading...