Graham Brady, as Chairman of the 1922 Committee, found himself at the center of British political turmoil during the premierships of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. His unique position provided an insider's view of the challenges faced by both leaders and the Conservative Party as a whole.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for the government. Brady recounts a meeting with Johnson in May 2020, where the Prime Minister appeared weary and concerned about the virus's impact. Johnson's personal experience with COVID-19 seemed to influence his approach to restrictions, particularly the two-meter social distancing rule.
"It's people like us who get it really bad! Not athletic... I was a fatty...17 and a half stone when I went into hospital."
The pandemic also highlighted tensions within the government, particularly regarding the role of scientific advisors and the economic impact of lockdowns. Brady notes that then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak expressed frustration with the situation, saying, "We thought it would give us cover, but now we can't do anything sensible without them denouncing it as a risk."
As Johnson's premiership faced increasing pressure, Brady found himself managing the process of no-confidence letters. By June 4, 2022, he had received 60 letters, surpassing the threshold for a leadership challenge. Despite surviving the initial vote, Johnson's position became untenable following a series of scandals.
The transition to Liz Truss's leadership brought new challenges. Her mini-budget, announced on September 23, 2022, led to economic turmoil and a sharp decline in the value of the pound. Brady recalls a conversation with a constituent in the commercial property sector who reported a 20% market drop in just 1.5 days following the announcement.
As Truss's premiership unraveled, Brady found himself in the position of conveying the harsh reality to the Prime Minister. In a meeting on October 17, 2022, he informed her that her political credibility had been lost despite efforts to restore market confidence.
"I sacked Kwasi because he let me down, he didn't do the job of chancellor... I have made the right decisions to recover from the mistakes of the chancellor's mini-budget. I won't be resigning!"
The chaotic events surrounding a fracking vote in Parliament further undermined Truss's authority. Brady's final meeting with Truss on October 20, 2022, marked the end of the shortest premiership in British history.
Throughout these tumultuous events, Brady's role as Chairman of the 1922 Committee highlighted the delicate balance between party loyalty and the need for effective governance. His experiences offer valuable insights into the inner workings of British politics during a period of significant upheaval.