More than a third of Conservative MPs are preparing to vote against the new Covid restrictions today.
The prime minister has warned his own backbenchers against “complacency” as he faces the biggest rebellion of his leadership, which will leave him heavily reliant on Labour opposition for support.
Yesterday the number of Conservatives saying they would not vote for the measures rose to 78, including 23 former ministers and 22 members of Johnson’s 2019 landslide intake.