Boris Johnson physically survived COVID-19. But he may not survive it politically.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
The British Prime Minister is under fire from criticism more than ever this week, after new revelations about illegal parties in Downing Street during the first lockdown of COVID-19. Called to account, “BoJo” apologized to Parliament on Tuesday, without convincing the opposition, which is demanding his resignation amid popular discontent.
The scandal in question is the holding of a garden party which took place on May 20, 2020 in the garden of the Prime Minister’s residence. An email, leaked to ITVNews on Monday, reveals that around 100 people were invited to a reception by Boris Johnson’s private secretary, while Britons were not allowed to see more than one person at a time. ‘outside.
PHOTO DOMINIC LIPINSKI, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Boris Johnson in Downing Street Garden, last June
In an overheated House of Commons, the Prime Minister tried to put out the fire on Tuesday by assuming “responsibility” for “mistakes” that had been made. In a carefully weighed intervention, he admitted to having been present that evening in the garden, which he described as then “constantly” used because of the virtues of the great outdoors against the virus.
Trying as best he could to exonerate himself, he added that this green space was an “extension of the offices” and described the meeting as a simple “business meeting”.
But the tone and content of the leaked email left little doubt as to the true nature of the gathering, instead being invited to “enjoy the good weather” and “share a drink” while maintaining physical distancing. “Bring your own bottle,” the post concludes, in colloquial language akin to restaurant jargon.
The discontent of the voters
This is not the first ‘case’ regarding Downing Street parties during the 2020 lockdown. Prior to Christmas, other leaks revealed similar discrepancies, inside and outside the residence, with “quiz evenings” between employees and “wine and cheese” meetings.
It is the first time, however, that the Prime Minister is directly involved in this breach of law, which increases the fury of the British tenfold.
Since Monday, anger has been strong in the media. Ordinary citizens say they are outraged by the impunity of the conservative leader, while they obediently submitted to health restrictions.
On the air Good Morning Britain On Tuesday, a grieving mother recounted with gritting teeth that she was unable to attend the funeral of her 14-year-old son, while Boris Johnson flouted restrictions imposed by her own government.
On Twitter, the association of relatives of COVID-19 victims Bereaved Families for Justice accused the Prime Minister of taking the British “for fools by claiming that he did not know it was a party” : “He is unable to speak the truth and must leave. ”
A vote of no confidence?
The opposition did not fail to jump on the bone either, demanding the departure of the 57-year-old prime minister, long seen as a Teflon politician.
Accusing Johnson of lies, Labor leader Keir Starmer has deemed Johnson’s defense “so ridiculous” that it is “insulting” to his compatriots. The “only question” is, according to the Labor leader, whether the British or his party will “kick him out”.
In fact, Boris Johnson no longer seems safe from a vote of no confidence within his political formation, some of whose figures no longer hesitate to openly express their exasperation at the accumulation of missteps and the climate of impunity reigning in Downing Street.
One can legitimately wonder who would want who would want the post of “BoJo” in this period of particularly painful health crisis, but the scenario of his replacement can no longer be ruled out, while the names of Finance Ministers Rishi Sunak or Foreign Affairs Liz Truss.
It would suffice for 15% of Conservative MPs (54 elected) to send a vote of no confidence to the party’s parliamentary group (the 1922 Committee) for a vote to be held internally.
Everyone seems to want to wait for the report of the investigation concerning this garden party watered. Its content could determine the extent of the slingshot. As are the upcoming polls, potentially devastating for the Tories, or the results of the spring local elections, which could weigh on the professional future of the current Prime Minister.
Johnson could meanwhile have the “decency to resign”, in the words of the Leader of the Opposition. But that scenario seems unlikely, according to political scientist Tim Bale.
“It’s always possible, but he will be reluctant,” concludes this specialist in the Conservative Party from Queen Mary University in London. If he does, he will be one of the shortest reigning prime ministers of recent times. It will have lasted even shorter than Gordon Brown and Teresa May! Nothing excludes it, however. He might decide that the game is no longer worth the candle. Especially since he would make a fortune with his books and his lectures after having resigned. But he has dreamed of the job of prime minister since he was a little boy. So I’d be surprised if he gave it up so easily. ”
With Agence France-Presse