They say a week is a long time in politics. For Boris Johnson, this week felt like an eternity.

First, two of his top ministers resigned over the Chris Pincher affair. Dozens more followed on Wednesday. That night, cabinet members told him to go. Yet Johnson vowed to "fight on" despite having too few ministers to run a government.

But yesterday morning the jig was up. Johnson agreed to go.

Figures from across the political spectrum breathed a sign of relief. Liberal columnist Gaby Hinsliff bid "good riddance" to "the worst prime minister any of us has ever known". Conservative commentator Max Hastings wrote: "At last we can be a serious country again."

For the Conservative MPs who brought him down, however, the celebrations were short-lived. A brutal succession battle was about to begin.

The party's future is at stake. In 2019, Johnson won 43.6% of the vote and an 80-seat majority. Yet if an election was called today, the Conservatives would lose. When polled last week, just 23% of people thought Johnson was doing a good job.

Many think his colleagues will be affected by his unpopularity. The ministers who betrayed him put him in power. They stuck with him through proroguing Parliament, misusing public money, Covid-19 chaos, the lobbying scandal and Partygate. They are all guilty.

Others caution against counting the party out just yet. The Economist calls the Conservatives "the world's most successful party". Since 1945, the party has led the government after 12 of 21 elections. It has always bounced back from defeat.

It is ruthless in replacing a failing leader with a new one. Johnson himself betrayed Theresa May, then won an election promising a new start. This could happen again.

Yes: After 12 years of Conservative-led government, Britain is poorer, more divided and in crisis - and the government cannot avoid some of the blame. A competent government is needed to clean the mess.

No: Never underestimate the Conservatives' ability to reinvent themselves. They have survived since 1834, in power more often than not. And Britain's two party political system offers few alternatives.

Or... Before the Conservatives, there were the Tories. Before the Tories, there were the cavaliers. Even if the party shatters, those who share its political views will continue under a new identity.