The wave of resignations in his cabinet could cost British Prime Minister Boris Johnson his job. He is badly affected within the party and wants to fend off a new vote of no confidence by all means. Now he even threatens new elections.
Boris Johnson’s tenure as UK Prime Minister is longer than that of most of his predecessors. It is characterized by numerous scandals.
dubious cash flows
In April 2021, Johnson came under pressure for the luxury renovation of the flat he shares with his family at 11 Downing Street. The prime minister assured that he “personally” paid for the work. However, it later emerged that the renovation had been largely paid for with money from a private donation to his conservative party, the Tories. Because the donation was not correctly declared, Johnson’s party was fined. Equally unclear was the financing of a luxury holiday paid for by a businessman and donor to the Conservative Party.
In December 2021, Conservative MP Owen Paterson was forced to resign over a lobbying affair. Johnson became involved in the affair in early November and tried to stop disciplinary proceedings against the Tory politician, but was then forced to backtrack amid outrage in his own ranks.
Johnson’s corona policy was criticized from the start, but culminated in the Partygate affair. Johnson is said to have held parties at the government seat during the lockdown.
The final straw was the allegation of sexual harassment by Tories deputy secretary of parliament Chris Pincher. Johnson would have known about this and promoted him anyway.
28 layoffs
After two ministers had already resigned from the cabinet, a veritable wave of resignations followed on Wednesday. The broadcaster Sky News reports a total of 28: two ministers, secretaries of state and other officials. Doubts were raised as to whether Johnson would even be able to fill the vacant posts.
Johnson’s days as prime minister are numbered. Not only the opposition, but also several MPs from his party and the conservative media are calling for his resignation. However, the head of government was belligerent in parliament on Wednesday and announced that he would continue. “I will not resign,” he said.
Threatens new elections
Sooner or later, Johnson will probably have to reckon with a vote of no confidence against him. To do this, enough Conservative MPs would have to lift the rules barring a confidence vote for a year. Johnson had only recently survived such a vote. In an uprising, Johnson threatened a parliamentary committee with new elections.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
