The Leader of the House of Commons should be wary of writing off a system that, apart from a few high-profile cases, hasn’t done too badly.
Despite the grubby circumstances in which this contest became necessary, it will be a vital battle ahead of the next general election.
Tory MPs will now get hard evidence of how much political damage Johnson has sustained over Partygate.
This rebellion had little in common with most others, but the names of many who oppose the Government now show a certain predictability.
That’s the biggest Tory revolt so far on a virus-related division, and enough potentially to defeat the Government in future.
More women. Fewer minorities. Lots of councillors and former candidates. And fewer married people. Our complete guide to the new intake of Tory MPs.
Johnson will be able to call on the advice and views of the Party’s own Muslim MPs, who now include Saqib Bhatti and Imran Ahmad-Khan.
It’s time Britain re-established itself as an industrious, manufacturing nation – by strengthening its capacity in Yorkshire and the North-East.