(London) Boris Johnson will tackle the “underlying culture” in Downing Street that has allowed several parties in full confinement, said one of his ministers on Sunday, the head of the British government seeking to raise the bar after seeing his popularity plunge.
Posted at 9:38
Accused by the opposition of having “broken the law”, Boris Johnson is preparing to announce measures including the banning of alcohol in Downing Street offices and the dismissal of several of his collaborators, according to the Sunday Times.
“I can assure you that the prime minister is contrite and deeply sorry for what happened,” Oliver Dowden, Conservative Party chairman and minister without portfolio, told the BBC when asked about the holiday.
“But, more importantly, he is determined to ensure that this cannot happen and that we tackle the underlying culture in Downing Street,” he continued.
PHOTO ALBERTO PEZZALI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
A senior civil servant, Sue Gray, is currently investigating this series of festive events organized in the Prime Minister’s residence, which is also his place of work.
On Wednesday, the head of government apologized to MPs in the House of Commons but new revelations have since continued to surface, such as the continuation of “Friday aperitifs” in Downing Street during the pandemic, despite restrictions prohibiting this type of gatherings.
Sunday, the Telegram posted in a photo of the Prime Minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, hugging a friend at a party in September 2020, in apparent breach of distancing rules at the time. Mme Johnson expressed his regret through the voice of a spokesperson.
Oliver Dowden assured that once Sue Gray’s report is delivered, Boris Johnson will take “full responsibility”.
When he apologized to Parliament on Wednesday, Boris Johnson confirmed his attendance at one such party in May 2020, but said he thought it was a business meeting.
“untenable” position
The conservative leader is fighting for his political survival.
At least six MPs from his side have publicly called for his departure, including Tim Loughton who said on Twitter that his position was “untenable”. “His resignation is the only way to end this whole unfortunate episode and I am working with colleagues to make this point of view clear to Downing Street,” he wrote on the social network.
To trigger a vote of no confidence and dislodge Boris Johnson, they would have to be at least 54 Tory deputies.
While Oliver Dowden acknowledged ‘mistakes’, Labor leader Keir Starmer went further, accusing Boris Johnson of ‘breaking the law’.
For Mr. Starmer, “the Prime Minister has degraded the office of Prime Minister and he has lost all authority not only in his own party, but in the country”. He demands his resignation.
The “partygate” benefits his Labor Party which has a ten point lead over the Conservatives according to several opinion polls published this week.
The scandal has dented Boris Johnson’s popularity in his electorate, which mixes traditional conservatives and pro-Brexit working classes.
According to an Opinium poll for the newspaper The Observer published on Sunday, 46% of pro-Brexit voters who voted for the Conservatives in 2019 think Mr Johnson should quit, compared to 39% who want him to stay.
Boris Johnson’s popularity rating is at its lowest with 64% unfavorable opinions.
To bring it up, the Prime Minister could, in addition to the measures affecting Downing Street, announce the lifting of restrictions linked to COVID-19 on January 26 in England in favor of a falling number of infections.