Two Powys MPs have called for Boris Johnson to step down as Prime Minister amid a wave of government resignations.

Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams has today resigned as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to the Chancellor of the Exchequer stating that the government needs a new leader.

Brecon and Radnorshire's Fay Jones said she can "no longer support the Prime Minister in good faith" and will hand in her resignation as PPS if Boris Johnson does not resign by tomorrow (Thursday).

Ms Jones said she would not resign today because "Business Questions takes place tomorrow and it isn’t fair to dump my work on another colleague with a few hours notice".

County Times: Prime Minister Boris Johnson with Craig WIlliams. Pic: Phil Blagg.

 

Craig Williams' statement

In a statement, Mr Williams said: “I have spoken to a number of constituents and with my local Association team today. I have come to the conclusion that we will not deliver the projects and policies the people of Montgomeryshire elected me to do under the paralysis of the current situation. I gave the Prime Minister my last benefit of the doubt some weeks ago. It is my view that we now need a new leader.

“This has not been an easy decision; I am a team player by nature, and it has not been made lightly. I now hope for a swift resolution and a return to delivering for the people of Montgomeryshire and the United Kingdom in a time of multiple global crises.”

In a letter posted to Twitter, he said: “After the recent vote of confidence, I had given my support to you, with one last benefit of the doubt. I believed it was right that we draw a line under previous events and focus on rebuilding trust with the public and focusing on delivering good policies.

“It has now become apparent over recent days, that this is becoming impossible.

“It is therefore with deep regret that I resign from your Government.”

Fay Jones' statement

"It is with deep regret that I have sent this letter to my friend and colleague Mark Spencer MP, the Leader of the House, this afternoon. I can no longer support the Prime Minister in good faith.

"We have an important role to oversee Business Questions tomorrow. If the Prime Minister is still in place tomorrow I will have no choice but to resign.

"I thank my constituents for their continued support."

It is with deep regret that I have sent this letter to my friend and colleague Mark Spencer MP, the Leader of the House,...

Posted by Fay Jones MP on Wednesday, 6 July 2022

In her letter to Mr Spencer, Ms Jones wrote: “It is with deep regret that I urge you to press the Prime Minister to go. I have drafted this letter a number of times; after the vote to protect Owen Paterson and when the full extent of Partygate revelations became clear.

“Despite my anger at the Prime Minister’s handling of those events, in January, I believed his promise to deliver a change of culture in 10 Downing Street, and I fully believed he could do it. It is clear to me now that my faith in him was miscalculated.

“While his support of President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine has been faultless, and he deserves enormous credit for delivering Brexit and spearheading the vaccine rollout, recent days confirm to me that there is a deep erosion of trust and decency at the heart of Government.

“It saddens me greatly that the Conservative Party is so wounded, I no longer believe the Prime Minister capable of mending those wounds. Serving as a PPS to you has been an honour. You have been supportive and nothing but kind and encouraging to me.

“If the Prime Minister fails to leave office by tomorrow, I will be formally resigning my role as PPS.

"When I became the Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, I won first prize in the lottery of life. They deserve to be served by a government fully capable of delivering the vision we promised them.”

More to follow.