The Guardian view on Tory lockdown sceptics: a dangerous trend | Editorial

It is right that MPs represent a spectrum of opinion, but there is precedent for Conservative governments being hijacked by a factional minority

It is unusual for prime ministers to apologise for their policies the way Boris Johnson seeds his lockdown announcements with regret and reluctance. Some of that tone is understandable, but it too often shades into evasion of responsibility. He sounds unwilling to own the choices he has made.

The squeamishness is not surprising. Many of Mr Johnson's instincts are libertarian. If he were not sponsoring the new English lockdown from Downing Street, he might have been among the 32 Tory backbench MPs who voted against it on Wednesday. Many more sympathise with the rebels.