By Andrew MacAskill

LONDON (Reuters) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a revolt by grassroots Conservative supporters who want him to resign after a series of revelations https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-pm-johnsons-office-partied-queen-mourned-death-husband-2022-01-14 about parties held at his official Downing Street residence during national coronavirus lockdowns.

Party members, who fundraise and rallie voters during election time, are now turning against the man they once admired for his enthusiasm, untuffy, if not always messy style, and support of Brexit.

John Strafford (80), chairman of Campaign for Conservative Democracy called Johnson the worst Prime Minister of his life and claimed that Johnson attended parties in the worst ever health crisis.

It is a disgusting sight that people find absolutely repulsive. It’s a sign that the man is arrogant. Boris told Reuters that he is a court jester, who would like to become king.”

His greatest failing is his inability to judge, which is the most crucial quality of any politician.

Johnson, once the beloved of party members and helped him win a clear victory in the 2019 election. This allowed him to fulfill his promises to Britain to leave the European Union. The party’s grassroots members also appreciated Johnson’s leadership in the swift rollout of COVID-19 last year.

‘DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED’

The relationship has been rapidly deteriorating due to a constant stream of revelations regarding Downing Street’s apparent disregard for strict lockdown rules.

Johnson’s latest surprise, sure to upset Conservative supporters, was Friday’s embarrassing reprimand to Queen Elizabeth. The revelation that Johnson’s employees had gathered in Downing Street just before Prince Philip’s funeral, last year, when it was illegal to mix indoors, meant that Johnson’s office needed to make amends to the Queen.

Johnson did not attend these parties. On Wednesday, Johnson apologized to the parliament for his attendance at the Downing Street party on May 20, 2020. This was when Britain was still under strict lockdown.

The grassroots Conservative membership cannot remove a leader but their opinions influence the lawmakers. They also vote to determine which candidate wins the party’s top job during a leadership election.

Sue Gray is currently investigating claims that parties were held inside government buildings during lockdowns. She is due to report in the coming weeks.

Johnson supporters believe that the report won’t say whether Johnson knew of any violations or should be resigned.

Strafford claimed that rank-and-file personnel had made their decision regardless of the conclusions.

He claimed that his Conservatives group sent a symbolic vote against Johnson last month, before any of the recent scandalous revelations. Additionally, his WhatsApp was inundated by messages from fellow party members expressing disapproval for the prime minster.

Strafford added that “the only reason they’re not quitting their membership is that they wish to vote in this leadership election which is now certain”

Nationally, party loyalists are feeling the pressure.

Sutton Coldfield (Conservative stronghold) in the West Midlands voted on Thursday for Johnson’s resignation.

Scottish Conservatives are also breaking ranks. Their leader Douglas Ross has publicly stated that Johnson must step down.

Ed Costelloe (chair of Conservative Grassroots), who backed him, said that the party must force him to leave or suffer a defeat in the next national elections, scheduled for 2024.

Costelloe stated, “I am deeply dissatisfied, it is sadfor the party, sadfor the country but the situation in the country is deabolical.”

His chaotic style makes it impossible for him to carry on. “We need to make a new start.”