Should Boris Johnson care what former prime ministers think of his Brexit plan?

The prime minister’s new bill attempting to override the Brexit withdrawal agreement has been criticised by a series of his predecessors, writes Kate Devlin – but does it matter?

Happier times: Boris Johnson and the then prime minister David Cameron campaigning together ahead of the 2015 general election (Getty Images)

In the rarefied world inhabited by the tiny number of people who have ever held the keys to Number 10 Downing Street, the word “misgivings” should not be underestimated.

While others might be tempted to use stronger language, former prime ministers are loth to criticise their successors.  

Many are fearful of accusations that they cannot let go of the trappings of power, or of being labelled as a sore loser.