The Partygate affair continues to bother Boris Johnson. Important people resign from his team, and the people vent their anger in a by-election.
- The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson* is due to parties in the middle of corona-Lockdown* sharply criticized.
- A new investigative report on the Corona parties with Boris Johnson appears in Great Britain*. The prime minister is openly accused of leadership failure there.
- Meanwhile, more and more shop stewards are turning their backs on Boris Johnson.
+++ 1.30 p.m.: Despite the “Partygate” affair, Boris Johnson remains glued to his chair. Not everyone in Britain likes that. The best example is the vote in the parliamentary by-election in the city of Southend. The fact that Johnson’s conservative party friend Anna Firth won the vote unchallenged with 86 percent of the vote was less decisive. After all, the main opposition parties Labor and Liberal Democrats had not put forward their own candidates. According to their own statements, they wanted to show their respect for the previous Tory mandate holder David Amess, who was stabbed in October 2021.
Much more remarkable, however, was the fact that the eligible voters cast a total of no fewer than 1,084 invalid votes – which corresponded to about every 15th ballot paper. Even second place applicant Jason Pilley (Psychedelic Movement) received far less approval with 512 ticks.
But why were all the votes invalid? Because, according to the PA news agency, many ballot papers were written with harsh criticism and wild insults against Johnson. Among them were comments like “Boris do the Brexit – get out” or “Get Boris out”. In view of the circumstances, the British media spoke of another severe setback for the prime minister.
Boris Johnson: British Prime Minister’s staff exodus
+++ 10.35 a.m.: According to a report from London, Boris Johnson has lost another close associate. The consultant Elena Narozanski – responsible for women’s politics, cultural politics and extremism – has resigned, the well-connected conservative blog “Conservative Home” reported on Friday (February 4th, 2022) from the British capital.
But Boris Johnson has the backing of his Economy Secretary. When asked what was going on in Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s office, Greg Hands replied on Sky: “Resignations have been made, resignations have been accepted.” Johnson takes the lead.
Boris Johnson: British Prime Minister’s staff exodus
Update from February 4th, 2022, 9:00 a.m.: Boris Johnson is increasingly losing the trust of key employees. On Thursday (February 3, 2022), four executives from his team resigned within hours: chief of staff Dan Rosenfield, private secretary Martin Reynolds, communications chief Jack Doyle and chief policy adviser Munir Mirza.
Mirza, who worked for Johnson for 14 years, accused him of not apologizing for controversial comments about opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer. The motives of the men were not initially known. Conservative sources have said three members of Johnson’s team are directly linked to the widely criticized “lockdown parties”. Your withdrawal indicates a restart attempt.
Boris Johnson: Unfounded allegations against Keir Starmer
In a heated parliamentary debate on Monday (January 31, 2022), the head of government accused Starmer of failing to accuse the well-known, now deceased radio presenter Jimmy Savile of hundreds of cases of sexual abuse during his time as chief of the public prosecutor’s office. However, Starmer was not responsible for this in his function, even if this claim is circulating on social media. Johnson’s repetition of corresponding misrepresentations also drew criticism from within his own ranks.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak also criticized the Prime Minister for his attack on the opposition politician. Asked if Johnson should have apologized, Sunak said: “To be honest I wouldn’t have said that and I’m glad the PM clarified what he said.” should Johnson have to resign.
Boris Johnson wants to stand for re-election
Update from 02/03/2022, 12:30 p.m.: “Partygate” scandal? Brexit chaos? Shocking corona numbers? doesn’t matter. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is combative despite all the problems and scandals in Britain. He is aiming for re-election in the general election planned for 2024, Johnson told The Sun newspaper (Thursday, February 3, 2022). “I still have a lot to do,” Johnson said. “I’m doing my job and I will do so as long as I have the privilege and honor of serving in that position.” The premier said he was “certainly not done”.
Boris Johnson: ‘I don’t accept criticism’
“I don’t focus on my critics, I don’t accept criticism from Labor or anyone else,” Johnson said. “My job is to carry on with what I was elected to do, the best response to any criticism is to deliver.” The Prime Minister again cited several achievements since taking office in the summer of 2019. achieved an 80-seat parliamentary majority and delivered the fastest vaccination campaign and fastest economic growth in the G7,” he claimed. Critics consider some of these claims to be false.
Boris Johnson: More lockdown parties at Downing Street
Update from February 2nd, 2022, 9:40 a.m.: Even after the release of the long-awaited Partygate report, reports of Boris Johnson’s attendance at more Downing Street lockdown parties continue to flow. The Guardian reported on Wednesday (02/02/2022) about a farewell party in January 2021, which is being investigated by the police and at which Johnson is said to have been present. The Telegraph, citing inside sources, wrote that Johnson also attended a celebration at his own home in November 2020. He was seen walking upstairs where Abba songs such as “The Winner Takes It All” were said to be playing, the source said. This party only became known through the report of top official Sue Gray.
On Wednesday, the weekly poll in Parliament is again on the agenda for the head of government. MPs from the opposition and his own parliamentary group can question him on topics of their choice. Opposition leader Keir Starmer gets six questions.
“Partygate”: More and more criticism from within the ranks of Boris Johnson
“The Prime Minister of Great Britain broke the rules and then he lied about it,” Stramer said, according to information from the German Press Agency. Criticism also hails from within its own ranks. “This is a crisis that will not go away and is causing very great damage to the party,” MP Andrew Mitchell told the BBC.
Boris Johnson: Theresa May also attacks British Prime Minister
Former Prime Minister Theresa May also attacked incumbent Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Speaking in Parliament, she stated: “Either my honorable friend didn’t read the Rules, or he and those around him didn’t understand what they meant, or they thought the Rules didn’t apply to (Downing Street) No 10. Which of it was it?”
The investigation report by officer Sue Gray had attested to Johnson’s leadership failure and misconduct in complying with applicable corona rules. Following the allegations in the British Parliament, Boris Johnson apologized and announced “far-reaching restructuring”. However, the incumbent Prime Minister ruled out a possible resignation.
“Partygate” in the UK: no-confidence vote against Boris Johnson?
Johnson’s fate is now in the hands of his Conservative Party. On Monday evening (January 31, 2022), the party leader campaigned for support behind closed doors. “Send me your suggestions via WhatsApp,” Johnson is said to have said to Sky News. In the past few days, Johnson had a so-called Brexit-Freedoms Act* and a reversal in the vaccination requirement for doctors is trying to make itself popular with backbenchers again.
If at least 54 Tories send a letter to their colleague Graham Brady, there will be a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson. However, this step is currently considered unlikely. First, the police investigation must be completed, which now wants to take a close look at around a dozen parties in Downing Street. (marv) *fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
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