After Boris Johnson's confused speech to business representatives, the Tories are raging

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Johnson speaking to business representatives

Photo: Owen Humphreys / imago images / ZUMA Press

Seldom has a speech by Boris Johnson left a more lasting impression: When he spoke to business representatives at an event organized by the industrial association CBI, he quoted Lenin, compared himself to Moses, imitated engine noises and talked for minutes about a visit to the »Peppa Pig World« amusement park Then he lost the thread and said nothing for 20 seconds.

That raised questions from some observers as to whether Johnson was up to his job.

Johnson's loyalists are now trying to counter these doubts - and that alone is remarkable: one government insists that the prime minister is perfectly capable of exercising his office.

"The Prime Minister is in great shape," said Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab of the BBC when asked about Johnson's speech.

When asked if the government had any serious concerns about Johnson's ability to exercise his office, Raab said, “I don't agree.” When asked about Johnson's remarks about the theme park, Raab said, “Peppa Pig is a fantastic British guy Exporting all over the world and I think that was the point the Prime Minister made «.

Reports of letters of no confidence

The public support is apparently also intended to counter rumors of the first votes for a vote of no confidence from their own party. Johnson's press secretary declined to comment on a "BBC" report that an unnamed government source said there was "a lot of concern within the building about the prime minister" and the feeling that ministers should be calling for changes.

"I've seen a number of quotes from anonymous sources and, as you know, I won't be replying to anonymous sources," the spokesman said. However, he rejected the idea that ministers would not feel able to tell Johnson if they felt he was on the wrong track: “The prime minister has an entire cabinet to fall back on, that advises him as one would expect, and the cabinet is used for that purpose. "

As the Telegraph reports, citing party circles, the responsible committee is said to have received at least one first letter of no confidence from a backbencher in his own party.

"It will not come to 50 letters that it would need (for a vote of no confidence), but it causes concern," said the unnamed source to the usually pro-government paper.

Another Tory politician stated that "the usual suspects" had lost confidence in Johnson and expressed this in appropriate letters.

The "Sun" also reported on several letters that had been received.

The conservative head of government has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks.

Allegations of corruption and nepotism had brought the Tory Party into disrepute.

Critics accuse Johnson of not acting decisively enough against the "sleaze" - that is, felt.

The completely unsuccessful speech to the industry association did not improve Johnson's situation.

svs / ulz / Reuters / dpa