Tory Minister inflates number of Labour MPs quitting as his party faces exodus

08 March 2024 , 09:09

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Tory Minister inflates number of Labour MPs quitting as his party faces exodus

A Tory Minister tried to exaggerate the number of Labour MPs quitting at the next election as his own colleagues quit in their droves.

Treasury Minister Gareth Johnson was challenged by Sky News presenter Anna Jones on whether panicking Conservatives are throwing in the towel because they fear electoral wipeout. It comes as former Prime Minister Theresa May became the latest Tory to confirm she will step down at the next election.

Some 59 Conservatives and former Tories who have lost the whip have said they won't fight the next election. Five others have said they won't stand in their seats - but could find another constituency.

Presenter Anna Jones pointed to the news that Ms May will quit at the next election, telling the minister: “I think that makes it close to 60 Tory MPs - that’s around a sixth of the party choosing to stand down at the next election. It sounds like there are a lot of Tory MPs that have made their minds up about the party’s prospects at the next election.”

Treasury Minister Gareth Johnson tried to claim that dozens of Labour MPs were quitting too (SKY)

He replied: “I think there’s nearly 50 Labour MPs as well, just to be completely balanced about this. This is what happens when you approach a new election and completely reasonable for people to decide that it’s time to go, particularly when they’ve been in the House of Commons for a long time and each one has made their own decision for personal reasons and I respect every single person's decision to do so."

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In an embarrassing blunder for a minister tasked with being across the numbers, only 17 Labour MPs have said they are quitting. Another two MPs who have lost the Labour whip are also stepping down.

The presenter later challenged him on the figure he spouted, saying: "I’m just going to pick you up on something you said earlier. The number of Labour MPs standing down at the next election is more like 17 rather than closer to 50.” Mr Davies said they should “maybe have a look” at the number as the interview drew to a close.

Lizzy Buchan