The Conservative Party is in the midst of a renewed internal conflict as Rishi Sunak and Boris Johnson openly clash over the handling of honours for MPs. During a tech summit in London,

Sunak directly addressed the recent resignations by Johnson and two of his allies, accusing the former Prime Minister of requesting him to do something he deemed inappropriate regarding the honours.

Sunak made it clear that he was not willing to overrule the House of Lords Appointments Commission by deferring peerages until the general election or make promises for future awards. He stated, "I didn't think it was right, and if people don't like that, then tough."

However, an ally of Boris Johnson alleged that Sunak secretly blocked the honours for individuals like Nadine Dorries, accusing him of obstructing the process without informing Johnson. The dispute over Johnson's honours list comes at a time when ministers dismiss criticism of the Commons privileges committee, which is finalizing its report on allegations that Johnson misled Parliament regarding Partygate.

The committee, consisting of MPs from different parties but with a majority of Tories, could recommend a 20-day suspension for Johnson and even call for him to be barred from the parliamentary estate due to concerns about its integrity. This development unfolds as the Conservative Party faces the prospect of three upcoming by-elections, following the resignations of Johnson and his allies Dorries and Nigel Adams.

The tensions surrounding the honours list and the resignation of Boris Johnson have triggered further conflicts within the party. The selection process for the Tory candidate for London mayor has become contentious after Minister for London Paul Scully, perceived as a Johnson ally, was excluded from the three-person shortlist. Meanwhile, Johnson has criticized the Cabinet Office for blocking his ability to provide crucial WhatsApp messages to the Covid Inquiry, exacerbating the party's current predicament.

During a question-and-answer session at the London Tech Week conference, Rishi Sunak reaffirmed his commitment to bringing about political change and transforming the country. He emphasized his refusal to compromise on matters he deemed inappropriate, signaling his intention to do things differently as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In response to the escalating tensions, Michael Gove, a prominent figure within the Conservative Party, attempted to shift the focus back to governance, asserting that the government is focused on important issues. Gove expressed his admiration for Boris Johnson's achievements and maintained that the party is united behind Rishi Sunak as a leader.

As the turmoil within the Tory Party unfolds, the path forward remains uncertain, with key decisions, including the release of the Partygate report and the impending by-elections, looming on the horizon. Photo by UK Government, Wikimedia commons.