Main content

Trouble on the backbenches? Tory Leaders and their MPs

Rosie Campbell assesses the relationship between Conservative leaders and their MPs. Is back-bench discontent the norm for Tory leaders, or is something else going on?

Despite winning a large majority at the last election, Prime Minister Johnson鈥檚 relationship with his party is an uneasy one.

Just a few months after achieving its long term aim of leaving the EU, the Conservative Party seems ill at ease with itself and the sound of tribal Tory strife can be seen and heard.

Is this just the way it鈥檚 always been: a cultural and historical norm for Tory leaders and their backbenchers? Or is there something else going on?

In this edition of Analysis, Professor Rosie Campbell assesses Boris Johnson鈥檚 relationship with his own party and asks why Conservative backbenchers can be such a thorn in the flesh of their leaders.

Will this Prime Minister go the same way, or can he buck the trend?

Presenter: Rosie Campbell
Producer: Jim Frank
Editor: Jasper Corbett

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 18 Oct 2020 21:30

Broadcasts

  • Mon 12 Oct 2020 20:30
  • Sun 18 Oct 2020 21:30

Podcast