Why you haven’t heard of Boris Johnson’s most important endorsements

Conservative MP Boris Johnson gets into a car in London on May 30, 2019. - Boris Johnson, considered the frontrunner to become Britain's next prime minister, must appear in court over allegations that he knowingly lied during the Brexit referendum campaign, a judge ruled Wednesday. Johnson, the former foreign secretary, will be summoned to appear over allegations of misconduct in public office, judge Margot Coleman said in a written decision, without specifying the date. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)

It’s been a big couple of days for endorsements in the Conservative leadership race. Yesterday Jeremy Wright, the culture secretary, gave his backing to Sajid Javid, while Liam Fox, the international trade minister, threw his weight behind Jeremy Hunt this morning. Neither of those cabinet endorsements, however, tells us all that much about where the race is headed.

For that, look instead to two former remainers (and staunch May loyalists) who pledged their support to Boris Johnson yesterday: Simon Hart, the MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, and Michael Ellis, the transport minister and MP for Northampton North.