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The Prime Minister took responsibility for humbling losses in Tiverton and Wakefield, and said the votes gave the public a 'safety valve' of letting off at governments


















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PreviousBoris Johnson insisted today he wouldn't undergo a 'psychological transformation' as he played down the Tories' bruising double by-election defeat - even though backbench revels are already plotting a fresh bid to oust him. 
The Prime Minister took responsibility for humbling losses in Tiverton and Wakefield, and said the votes gave the public a 'safety valve' of letting off at governments.
But Mr Johnson claimed voters were fed up with hearing about how he had 'stuffed up' in recent months and said he wouldn't change his behaviour, insisting: 'If you're saying you want me to undergo some sort of psychological transformation... that's not going to happen.'
It comes as MPs looking to remove Mr Johnson are throwing their hat into the ring for the most senior posts on the influential 1922 Committee, which runs the rule over party confidence votes.
The PM survived such a poll earlier this month, even though a massive 41% of blue seats in the House not backing him, and under current committee rules, another referendum on the leader cannot be held for another year.
But rebels want to scrap that policy, according to the
At least three are seeking election to such roles, with one telling the paper: 'We could be heading into a world where the situation is beyond a joke. At that point, you need officers who are willing to say: Enough's enough.'
Another MP who has previously given Mr Johnson his support in public has now told the

















Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey celebrates with supporters and activists gathered at the Lowman Green Clock Tower in Tiverton





Glamorous Charles and Camilla dazzle at black tie dinner in...
Boris Johnson today played down the Tories' bruising double by-election defeat - as backbench rebels plot a fresh bid to oust him amid growing concerns over his premiership










In seismic results in the early hours of yesterday morning, the Conservatives lost two seats in West Yorkshire and Devon by large margins after months of sleaze and economic woe that have bedevilled Mr Johnson's premiership





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Prime Minister Boris Johnson yawns next to Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations Patricia Scotland during the Leaders' Retreat executive session in Kigali today

Asked on Today whether morality is a part of leadership, Mr Johnson replied 'of course', before adding an example of a matter of principle that would see him resign from No10.
He said: Technology 'If it was put to me we had to abandon the Ukrainian cause because it was getting too difficult and the cost of supporting that people in their heroic fight for freedom was too great in terms of inflation or economic damage, I would accept that I'd lost a very important argument and I would go - but I don't see that.'
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss argued that the dismal performance of the Conservatives in Thursday's by-elections will not be the predictor of the next general election.
Speaking to reporters in Rwanda, she said: 'The reality is that incumbent governments often lose by-elections and often people want to send a message in a by-election to raise concerns with the Government.
'But that doesn't make by-election results the predictor of election outcomes, it hasn't been the predictor in the past and I don't believe it will be the predictor of the next general election.'
In response, however, the Lib Dems said the Prime Minister's comments showed 'this leopard has no intention of changing his spots'.
The party's deputy leader, Daisy Cooper, said: 'The last thing our country needs right now is for this failing Prime Minister to dig in his heels as every crisis gets worse on his watch.
'People in Tiverton and Honiton made it crystal clear that they, like the rest of Britain, want to show Boris Johnson the door.
'Johnson's premiership and his reputation is in tatters. If he doesn't have it in him to do the right thing and resign, Conservative MPs must give him the sack.'






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Tory rebels plot next move to oust Boris Johnson


Two ways to bring down a PM: Boris Johnson's rebels see opportunities | Boris Johnson | The Guardian