The early poll published by YouGov on Tuesday night found that 54 per cent of Tory voters were in favor of Mr Johnson stepping down, while 33 per cent said he should stay. The pollster said it was the first time the number calling for him to leave was greater than those wanting him to stay. Meanwhile, the number of Britons in favor of Mr Johnson’s resignation reached an all-time high of 69%. It comes as Mr Johnson faces the biggest leadership crisis of his prime ministership following Rishi Sunak’s resignation as chancellor and Sajid Javid’s resignation as health secretary. The twin resignations came in the wake of the No 10’s heavy-handed handling of the controversy surrounding scandal-hit former deputy captain Chris Pincher. A humiliating apology from the prime minister failed to prevent the departure of two senior ministers and potential leadership rivals, with both drafting inflammatory resignation letters. Mr Sunak said “the public rightly expect the government to behave properly, competently and seriously”, adding: “I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am standing down.” Nadhim Zahawi has been promoted to new chancellor, with universities minister Michelle Donelan taking his place as education secretary. Mr Javid said the British people “expect integrity from their government” but voters now believed Johnson’s government was neither competent nor “acting in the national interest”. He was replaced as health secretary by Steve Barclay, the prime minister’s chief of staff. By the skin of his teeth, Mr Johnson survived a confidence vote last month which saw almost 150 of his MPs try to force him out of the Conservative party helm. And Tory backbencher Andrew Bridgen today warned the Prime Minister that the 1922 backbench committee would “deal” with his leadership. Mr Bridgen said: “The portcullis is the emblem of our parliament, it is the last defense of our democracy. “The 1922 commission will deal with this turbulent prime minister, that’s why it was created.”
