Cabinet ministers toldThe London Telegraph that the Prime Minister needed a New Year reset,with advice ranging from returning to the party’s tax-cutting ideological traditions to reforming the administration at Number 10.
“There is this feeling that Number 10 is run by brainy but very unworldly people who don’t necessarily understand you can’t do these things and just get away with them,” said one Cabinet minister. Another urged:“The Chancellor keeps on saying he wants to cut taxes,let’s hope he does that.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday a few hours before the by-election defeat.Credit:Getty
There were also warnings that Johnson will struggle to get his party behind new lockdown measures if he tries to bring them in over Christmas. Speaking after the by-election defeat,a loss which capped a week of political pain that includedthe biggest Tory rebellion of his administration over COVID passports,Johnson attempted to draw a line under recent blunders.
“I understand that what voters want us as the Government to be doing at all times is to focus on them and their priorities,” the Prime Minister said,as he took “personal responsibility” for the loss of a traditionally safe seat. He also admitted failing to secure more media focus on the Government’s policies,saying:“I’ve got to put my hands up and say ‘have I failed to get that message across in the last few weeks? Has it been obscured by all this other stuff?’ Yes,I’m afraid it has.”
However,Johnson’s attempts to move on from the defeat backfired as new allegations emerged about Christmas parties last year.
TheGuido Fawkes website reported that Case attended a number of Christmas parties. Cabinet Office sources eventually confirmed that a virtual quiz,with drinks and food,was held on December 17 and that six of Case’s private office staff took part. Digital invitations for the event in room 103 of the department in 70 Whitehall had the title “Christmas party!”
December 17 was the day before theNumber 10 Christmas party that forms the heart of the investigation.
Case did not help organise the quiz or take part,according to Cabinet Office sources,but did speak to those attending in his private office when he passed through,meaning he was aware of the gathering. At the time of the event,London had just been placed under Tier 3 restrictions that prohibited people from mixing indoors.
Senior Labour and SNP figures demanded Case step back from the inquiry into whether lockdown rules were broken at government Christmas parties last year.
The change could lead to delays reaching conclusions about any potential rule-breaking,opening up the possibility that the inquiry could drag on into the new year.
It risks the row overshadowing attempts by the Prime Minister’s inner circle to try to refocus the Government on a policy agenda that it hopes will be delivered in time for the general election expected in 2024.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said:“Staff in the Cabinet Secretary’s private office took part in a virtual quiz on Dec 17 2020. A small number of them,who had been working in the office throughout the pandemic and on duty that day,took part from their desks,while the rest of the team were virtual.
“The Cabinet Secretary played no part in the event,but walked through the team’s office on the way to his own office. No outside guests or other staff were invited or present. This lasted for an hour and drinks and snacks were bought by those attending. He also spoke briefly to staff in the office before leaving.”