DEFIANT Boris Johnson has vowed to hit the campaign trail in two by-elections which could seal his fate.
The PM has told aides he will break with tradition and visit the Tory seats he desperately needs to retain if he is to avoid a leadership coup.
He made the do-or-die decision as rebel MPs grew close to forcing a confidence vote in a bid to remove him from No10.
Plotters believe they have already secured the 54 letters required to force a secret ballot on his leadership, with one claiming the tally had hit 65.
A pasting on June 23 for the Tories in Wakefield and at Tiverton and Honiton — widely predicted by pundits — could trigger a backbench revolt.
In a high-stakes gamble, Mr Johnson will travel to the seats in West Yorks and Devon in a bid to prove he still has the magic winning touch.
MORE POLITICS NEWS
Traditionally, PMs do not get involved in by-elections.
A source said: “The idea that the public wants Boris toppled just two years after he won a general election is ludicrous.”
Backbench leader Sir Graham Brady will tot up the letters tomorrow.
If there are 54 or more, a leadership vote could happen on Wednesday.
But the rebels would then need to muster 180 votes to force a leadership contest.
Tory strategists are braced to lose the red wall seat of Wakefield, snatched in 2019.
But they also fear the Lib Dems will wipe out a 24,000 Tory majority in Tiverton.
Last night allies backed the PM. One said: “While these self-obsessed rebels stir up trouble, Boris is working hard to ease the cost of living.”
Downing Street ruled out the PM issuing a “back me or sack me” challenge.
A source warned: “If they want a contest they really have to get the numbers.”
