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NEW: Boris Johnson is facing a wave of backbench anger over his handling of the Universal Credit debate.
The 109 WhatsApp Group - named after the 107 Tory MPs elected in the last election (it’s a typo) has been abuzz with fury over the last week. https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
The 109 WhatsApp Group - named after the 107 Tory MPs elected in the last election (it’s a typo) has been abuzz with fury over the last week. https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
One 2019 intake Tory MP: "I’m completely fed up with being marched up the hill on deeply unpopular policies and being marched down again. Free school meals and schools shows our government is being run by Marcus Rashford and Twitter." https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
MPs’ anger isn’t about the policy, but the government’s decision making:
"Nobody really thinks pushing UC up in the long term is a good solution — it comes at a colossal cost. We’re happy with Rishi’s decision to make it part of a broader settlement.” https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
"Nobody really thinks pushing UC up in the long term is a good solution — it comes at a colossal cost. We’re happy with Rishi’s decision to make it part of a broader settlement.” https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
One MP said were 350 messages on the 109 group in *one morning* mostly about universal credit and No10’s messaging.
"It’s increasingly obvious...that No10 doesn’t understand, doesn’t care about the MPs or the places they represent" https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
"It’s increasingly obvious...that No10 doesn’t understand, doesn’t care about the MPs or the places they represent" https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
Others are blaming the whips’ office and saying that the feelings of backbenchers aren’t being properly communicated to the PM.
"Only literally after dozen of MPs warned they’d defy the government did the PM send that message and get involved" https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
"Only literally after dozen of MPs warned they’d defy the government did the PM send that message and get involved" https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
Rishi Sunak does not want UC uplift becoming permanent.
“It would cost £6bn — that’s the equivalent of putting 1p on income tax and adding 5p a litre on fuel duty. Hopefully this will help focus minds among Conservative colleagues on what we value most.” https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
“It would cost £6bn — that’s the equivalent of putting 1p on income tax and adding 5p a litre on fuel duty. Hopefully this will help focus minds among Conservative colleagues on what we value most.” https://www.ft.com/content/94a85d1b-18eb-4de3-a9a2-c2b8190dd61f
