THE PM last night blasted his Partygate critics — saying it is time to discuss issues that matter to voters.
As Boris Johnson jetted off to India, he tore into MPs plotting another probe into lockdown rule-breaking in No 10.
Hours after apologising again to the Commons over his £50 fine, he declared it was time to move on to more important issues.
He said politics taught him to focus on “things that make a real difference to the electorate”.
He also vowed to fight and win the next election.
He said aboard his jet “not a lot of circumstances spring to mind” in which he would throw in the towel.
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Asked if Partygate did not matter, a defiant PM hit back: “You’re better off talking about things other than politicians themselves.”
He faces a potentially brutal backbench revolt today as MPs vote on whether he should be investigated amid accusations he lied to Parliament over Partygate.
Up to 50 Tory backbenchers are thought to be considering defying No 10 over the crunch vote or abstaining.
They are terrified after Labour vowed to bombard their areas with a PR blitz hammering them for dodging scrutiny ahead of local elections.
Tory critics of the PM said “there is a massive rebellion brewing”.
One told Trending In The News: “MPs know Labour are doing this so they can target us at the next general election and say, ‘Your MP voted against investigating Boris Johnson’.”
Tory rebel ringleader Mark Harper said more MPs are considering sending in letters of no confidence to the 1922 Tory Committee.
He told Times Radio yesterday: “A number of colleagues have said that they’re thinking very seriously about putting a letter in, a small number not a huge number.
“But different colleagues are going to reach different conclusions.”
The Prime Minister told rebels last night: “The best thing to do for the people is for Parliament to get on and focus on the things we were elected to do.”
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Last night the Government launched a plan to derail Labour’s plot by delaying another probe, with Tory MPs ordered to back it tonight on a three-line whip.
A spokesman said: “The Government has tabled an amendment to Labour’s motion which says consideration of this matter should take place after the conclusion of the police investigation, and the publication of the Cabinet Office report, allowing MPs to have all the facts at their disposal.”
