Boris Johnson aiming to stay in Downing Street until 2030s

 Boris Johnson has said he plans to be prime minister in the 2030s, although conservative critics plan to oust him after voters rejected the Conservatives in two by-election defeats.

The prime minister insists he is "actively considering" running for the next two general elections to become the longest-serving post-war leader.

He urged Conservative MPs planning to oust him not to focus on his "clogging" after his cabinet resignation further eroded his power.


He insists that after losing Wakefield and former strongholds of Tiverton and Honeyton, questions about his leadership have now been resolved.

But attacks continued from his own backbench on Saturday night, with Conservative MPs leader Damian Green, the leader of the One Nation caucus, warning the government "needs to change its style and content" and urged cabinet hopefuls to do so Do show their stripes.

Former Secretary of State David Davies also slammed the Prime Minister's claim that the only "substantial" argument for a change of direction he had heard from critics was the UK's return to the EU single market, arguing that this was "obviously not to me. one case", or many others".

But on Sunday, Northern Ireland minister Brandon Lewis backed the Conservative leader, telling Sky's Sophie Richie on Sunday's programme: "We're often criticised politically because we're only focused on the next day, the next Elections, next polls. .

"Actually, as prime ministers, we have people who hope that in the long run, how can we structurally improve our country for future generations. That must be good."

Mr Johnson has previously insisted the "endless churning" of the allegations "drives people crazy" as he continues his trip to Rwanda, despite hints that more ministers could resign.

Oliver Dowden resigned as co-leader of the Conservative Party, saying he and Tory supporters were "disturbed and disappointed by recent events" and told the prime minister "someone has to take responsibility".

But Mr Johnson is aiming to take office "by the mid-2030s", a streak that would surpass the reign of Margaret Thatcher.

When asked by reporters at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kigali if he would lead his party to the next election, he said: "Will I win? Yes."

The prime minister, in good spirits, added: "Right now I'm actively thinking about a third term and what might happen by then, but I'll check when I have time."

Labour, meanwhile, has urged the Conservatives to call an early election, with leader Sir Kilstarmer telling Mr Johnson: "Move it forward."

Further controversy erupted on Saturday night when The Telegraph reported that the Prime Minister intends to impose sweeping new steel tariffs to win over Labour's traditional heartland.

Oliver Dowden resigned as co-leader of the Conservative Party, saying he and Tory supporters were "disturbed and disappointed by recent events" and told the prime minister "someone has to take responsibility".

But Mr Johnson is aiming to take office "in the mid-2030s", which would surpass the rule of Margaret Thatcher.

When asked by reporters at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kigali whether he would lead his party to the next election, he said: "Will I win? Yes."


"I'm actively thinking about a third term and what might happen by then, but I'll review it when I have time," the prime minister added gleefully.

Labour, meanwhile, urged the Conservatives to call a snap election, with leader Sir Kilstarmer telling Mr Johnson: "Move forward."

Further controversy erupted on Saturday night when The Telegraph reported that the Prime Minister intends to impose sweeping new steel tariffs in a bid to win Labour's traditional heartland.

There have been proposals to challenge changes to the 1922 Conservative MPs committee rules to allow Mr Johnson to hold another confidence vote within the next year.

Asked if he thought questions about his leadership had been resolved, Mr Johnson replied: "Yes."

Tory veteran Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who retained his seat in the Cotswolds with a 20,000-vote majority in the last poll, is one of the Conservatives who have expressed fears they may lose their seats at the next general election lose job.

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The Conservatives were defeated by the Liberal Democrats by almost 30 per cent in the Tiverton and Honeyton constituencies in the Devon by-election.

In West Yorkshire, Labour won Wakefield from the Conservatives with a majority of 4,925 votes, up 12.7%.

In a Daily Telegraph article, Mr Green said "improvements are needed to restore confidence in the government".

"The way you find the 'wedge problem', where you divide the population and put your political opponents on the wrong side of the argument, only works if the majority believes what you tell them. Without trust, we are exaggerated and rhetoric," he said.

He added: "It's no secret that a significant part of the Cabinet thinks they can run the country better than the current sitting president. Now is a good time to showcase those leadership qualities."

Mr Davies also wrote for the paper: "Boris likes to say that his critics have only one political disagreement with him and that is that they want to re-enter the single market. This obviously doesn't apply to me or many others.

"The biggest policy difference is we want our government to stop talking about tax cuts and actually implement them, so we're no longer the highest taxing Conservative government in history."

In a piece for The Observer, Labour leader Sir Keir challenged Mr Johnson to call an early election, insisting “Labour is back”.

“For months Boris Johnson has been privately claiming he will hold an early election,” he wrote.

“My message to him is simple: bring it on. Because the quicker that election comes, the quicker this country will get a Labour government that delivers the positive change people are crying out for.”