But by threatening to impose the severest sanction - permanent expulsion - on rebels, Johnson is effectively challenging them to choose between what they believe to be the national interest, and any political future inside their party.
Kodwa ngokwesabisa ngokufaka unswinyo olukhulu – ukuxohswa unomphela – kwabavukela umbuso, uJohnson ubaphosela inselelo ngokuphelele ukuba bakhethe kulokho abakholelwa kukho ukuthi kusiza izwe, nekusasa lepolitiki phakathi eqenjini labo.