Boris Johnson is under pressure to improve his performance from his own MPs this weekend after weeks of lacklustre performances and political missteps.
The Prime Minister insists he is fully recovered from his bout with Covid, when he needed intensive care in hospital, but both political friends and foes at Westminster report that he can, at times, appear disengaged and lacking concentration.
Yesterday, friends were reported voicing concern money worries were adding to the pressure on the Prime Minister.
He receives a prime ministerial salary of about £150,000 – far less than when he was earning from speeches and newspaper columns.
One friend, quoted in The Times, said: “He doesn’t have a housekeeper – he has a single cleaner and they’re worried about being able to afford a nanny.
“He’s stuck in the flat and Downing Street is not a nice place to live. It’s not like the Élysée or the White House where you can get away from it all because they’re so big.”
Sources at Westminster are concerned about his health and ability to concentrate. One said: “He’s pin-sharp one day and then he will say to somebody ‘Why have you not briefed me on that?’ and he’ll be told ‘You were told that yesterday’.”
After a threat to rip up the EU exit treaty provoked condemnation, many Tory MPs are worried about the Government’s ability to deal with Covid and Brexit.
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “There are people facing serious financial hardship and whose jobs are on the line because of his mismanagement of the virus crisis and the arrogant approach he’s taking to Brexit. Those are the people this government should be concerned about. Not a prime minister who resents having to pay for his own food.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: “My eyebrows have been raised at some of the behaviour we have witnessed over the last few months.
“But some of the statements from the Prime Minister – the recommendation that people should get back to work, that this would all be over by Christmas – whether this has to do with the Prime Minister being jaded or not, there has to be greater care in the messages the Prime Minister and the UK Government are delivering to the public.”
Ian Murray, Labour’s Shadow Scottish Secretary, said: “There is growing unease about Boris Johnson’s handling of this crisis.”
The Money
Boris Johnson receives a prime ministerial salary of about £150,000. But according to friends, he is worried about money, having been through an expensive divorce.
He is also said to have a joint mortgage with his partner Carrie Symonds on a £1.3 million Victorian townhouse in south London.
As Prime Minister, his income has more than halved. He was paid about £275,000 a year for columns for the Daily Telegraph before entering No 10. He has also had to give up lucrative speaking engagements. One speech in March last year earned him £122,000.
The Politics
The PM’s performance at Westminster has caused concern among his own MPs and allies in the media.
Spectator magazine, which Mr Johnson used to edit, last week accused him of presiding over “disorder, debacle, rebellion, U-turn and confusion”.
Commentator Toby Young, who worked at The Spectator, wrote he had “given up” on Mr Johnson. He said: “He’s no longer fit to be PM and should step down as soon as he’s got Brexit done.”
Meanwhile, a YouGov opinion poll shows Labour now neck and neck with the Conservatives.
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe