Shapps 'one out' on size of Tory mutiny that took backroom fixers by surprise

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps has revealed  he predicted to within one vote the scale of the recent revolt by Tory MPs against Boris Johnson.

In doing do so, the transport secretary was far more accurate in forecasting the scale of opposition against the prime minister’s leadership than the Conservative whips.

The backroom fixers were taken by surprise at the size of the mutiny having underestimated the number of the parliamentary party backing no confidence earlier this month.

In the event, Conservative MPs voted by 211 to 148 in support of Mr Johnson, but the scale of the opposition was greater than that seen in 2018 when Theresa May faced a confidence vote.

She secured the support of 63% of her MPs but was still forced out within six months.

Mr Johnson saw 41% of his MPs vote against him, a worse result than Mrs May.

While the Tory leader and his supporters insist it was a “decisive” victory, it has left him bruised amid the fallout of the partygate scandal,…