In the rural constituencies of Devon in Tiverton and Honiton, the Liberal Democrats canceled a majority of 24,000 Tories to win while Labor regained Wakefield.
In a letter to Mr Johnson, Mr Dowden said he and Tory supporters were “worried and frustrated by recent events”, telling Mr Johnson that “someone has to take responsibility”.
Mr Dowden, who was due to appear in the morning media round on the government on Friday, said in a letter to the prime minister that the by-elections were “the last in a series of very bad results for our party”.
He said: “Our supporters are concerned and disappointed by recent events and I share their feelings.
“Someone has to take responsibility”
“We can’t go on with our usual business. Someone has to take responsibility, and I have come to the conclusion that in these circumstances it would not be right for me to remain in office. “
The MP ended his letter with the words: “I want to emphasize that this is a deep personal decision that I made myself. As always, I will remain loyal to the Conservative Party.
Westminster observers said it was striking that Mr Dowden did not explicitly promise loyalty to Mr Johnson in his letter, which surprised the prime minister and his team.
Tobias Eloud, chairman of the House Defense Committee’s elected defense committee and a leading critic of Mr Johnson, said the letter was “honorable”.
Mr Johnson, who is in Rwanda for the British Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, is believed not to be “in a hurry” to replace him as co-chair of the party.
The prime minister was swimming in the pool of his hotel at 6 a.m. in Kigali when he received a warning call from Mr. Dowden before his usual meeting at 7 a.m.
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