Set up by supporters of Mr Johnson, the group wants to give party members more power and is critical of the way Rishi Sunak was appointed leader. In a video message broadcast in the sparsely populated hall at Bournemouth International Centre on Saturday, Mr Johnson thanked CDO members for continuing to campaign “for freedom and democracy”. The organisation has repeatedly insisted it is not focused on bringing back Mr Johnson but speakers at the conference included several of his most prominent backers. She said that the party owed Mr Johnson a “debt of gratitude” for the success in the 2019 election, as she praised the former leader as an “electoral asset”. Unfortunately, the collateral damage inside the Conservative Party would be epic.”He said he does not like the “direction of the Conservative Party”, adding: “We should know the direction of the party and what we are campaigning for.

Source: The Times May 13, 2023 23:03 UTC