The tail that wags the dog! 35 MP’s are active supporters and another 29 have been members in the past. That enough to overturn the Conservative majority, thus this small but tight group yields power beyond its numbers. The DUP will be canvassing them for their support against any deal with the EU. Their visceral hatred of all things EU is ludicrous.
Basically about 60 MP’s have the ability to veto anything the government puts forward that they do not like. Does Sunak have the balls to take the whip away from the 35? Would they vote against the government? Many are likely to lose their seats anyway, as things stand, so may be willing to be bloody minded.
Sunak has a very difficult few months – maybe less – before he loses his job. At the latest this will be the next GE. Will he last that long? Will Johnson try to come back (he is buying a £4million plus mansion in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell in Oxfordshire (there are surely a plethora of jokes here! – especially as it has a moat). Oh what has happened to hard work ensuring wealth in this country when a moderately funny and debatably honest hack has this money to chuck around).
Groups like the ERG should not be funded by public money on the left or right or centre. Politicians should listen to constituents – Johnson, please note.