ENGLAND: Boris Johnson in a political party storm

Boris Johnson

LONDON (24 France).- The last days of 2021 were a nightmare for Boris Johnson. The scandal of parties being held in Downing Street, where he lives and works, while the whole country lives in tight confinement, has undermined his credibility and authority.

As if that weren’t enough, it’s also known that he threw another party on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, where he had to formally apologize to the Queen of England, Elizabeth II.

While he has repeatedly denied attending parties to be held illegally in 2020, he has had to admit to violating a law he created himself. He had no choice: an email from his own private secretary, Martin Reynods, revealed it.

Johnson, in Parliament, made a half-hearted apology. He justified breaking the law because he thought it was a “work event”, despite the fact that the tone of the invitation on his right hand attests to a social event that must bring alcoholic beverages.

The Prime Minister’s apology convinced few. The Labor Party and other opposition demanded his resignation because they lacked the moral authority to continue to lead the country.

Hours later, MP Douglas Ross, head of the Conservatives in Scotland, and other lawmakers from the same party joined the vote asking the prime minister to step aside.

Johnson, for now, has the support of his party, which is also dependent on the results of investigations by civil service officials into illegal parties.

Will he survive this scandal politically?

“The position is much weaker than it was three months ago. It seems quite broken, but Johnson, as others have said, is the one who managed to overlook the difficulties that have certainly brought down other prime ministers,” explained political analyst Jill Rutter in an interview with France 24.

In total, the local press has revealed more than twelve illegal parties, with large quantities of drink and food, to be held in 2020, not only on Downing Street but at government offices and other Conservative parties.

So far, Johnson has admitted to spending 25 minutes on May 20, 2020, with his wife Carrie, held by his right hand.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson answers questions from lawmakers in London on January 12, 2022.But it’s not just any event. It was a massive gathering, when the country was under strict confinement and thousands, for example, were unable to attend funerals of relatives or friends or visit them in hospital.

While the Prime Minister doesn’t necessarily attend all of these celebrations, the real thing is that in his government there is a prevailing culture that pandemic laws only apply from the outside.

Disgraceful Downing Street renovation

The Premier must also provide an explanation for the payment of more than £100,000 for the renovation of the apartment where he lives, at 11 Downing Street, with his new wife and two children.

In a WhatsApp message it was clear that Johnson asked his party benefactor, David Brownlow, to pay for a designer’s expensive renovation.

In addition, payments were not announced at the time to the Election Commission, which required all contributions to parties to be public to prevent donors from receiving benefits from the government.

However, he will not face an investigation by parliament’s commissioner of standards.

At the door of the 1922 Committee

Johnson would only be removed from office if his party wanted him to. The Conservatives could make that decision if they felt the Labor Party, their main opponent, could wrest power from them in the upcoming election following the Prime Minister’s scandal.

Other voices suggest that, having accepted in Parliament that he violated the rules of confinement, while demanding that the rest of the population obey the law, he marked his destiny and his departure should be expected sooner rather than later.

Among conservatives there are already voices criticizing their leader. Roger Gale, a veteran partisan fellow, called him “politically the walking dead.” Another party member, Douglas Ross, said he would send a letter to the 1922 Committee expressing his lack of confidence in Johnson.

Matt Thompson

"Problem solver. Proud twitter specialist. Travel aficionado. Introvert. Coffee trailblazer. Professional zombie ninja. Extreme gamer."

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *