Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing criticism from within his party ranks as a new Conservative grouping loyal to former Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds its first formal meeting.
The Conservative Democratic Organisation (CDO)—which was set up in the aftermath of Johnson’s removal from office and amid anger at the installation of Sunak as prime minister without a vote by the party membership—held its first conference in Bournemouth on Saturday.
The group—backed by Tory peer and donor Lord Cruddas and organised by Brexiteer David Campbell Bannerman—pledges to restore democracy to the Conservative grassroots.
Johnson himself was not present at the conference, but sent a video message in which he thanked CDO members for continuing to campaign “for freedom and democracy.”…