The prime minister has been under criticism for months.
(Photo: Getty Images)
London Boris Johnson fears for his position as Prime Minister. Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Minister Sajid Javid, two key figures, resigned on Tuesday evening in protest at the prime minister’s leadership style. The reason is apparently Johnson’s behavior in a recent sex scandal involving his conservative party colleague Chris Pincher.
The resignation of Sunak and Javid is the high point in a series of numerous crises and scandals. Johnson was already under enormous pressure from the so-called “Partygate” affair. Previously, he had to pay a fine for violating the corona rules during the pandemic. In early June, he narrowly survived a no-confidence vote by his own group. More than 40 percent of his party friends voted against their prime minister. Shortly thereafter, two important by-elections were lost for the Tories.
At the weekend, the Pincher affair triggered the next government crisis. The deputy leader of the Tories had groped some male colleagues while he was heavily intoxicated. It turned out that the Conservative MP was already known for similar offenses.
Johnson, who appointed Pincher to the group’s leadership in February, initially only admitted that he had rumored to know about it. On Tuesday, however, he had to admit that he had been officially informed of the misconduct by government officials two years ago.
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“We cannot go on like this,” Chancellor Sunak wrote in his resignation letter to Johnson, which he subsequently tweeted.
His cabinet colleague Javid justified his resignation by saying that he had lost confidence in Johnson. Both ministers were alluding to the numerous untruths with which Johnson has repeatedly tried to stay in office in recent months.
Biggest economic crisis in the kingdom for 50 years
Johnson tried to save his head with a television speech: “I think it was a mistake and I apologize for it,” said the prime minister, referring to Pincher’s appointment to the group leadership. However, he was no longer able to prevent the resignation of his two most important ministers.
It is still unclear how things will continue in the next few days. According to party rules, after the no-confidence vote at the beginning of June, there can actually be no new vote in the conservative faction on the head of government for twelve months. However, next week there will be new elections for the responsible “1922” party committee.
Johnson’s opponents are betting that they can change the rules with the help of like-minded friends and initiate a new vote of no confidence in Johnson. It is also possible that Johnson will resign of his own accord. So far, however, he has always strictly rejected personal consequences.
However, it is not only because of numerous scandals that Johnson has his back to the wall. So far, his government has not found a remedy for the worst economic crisis in 50 years. Inflation was recently at over nine percent, and economic growth has practically come to a standstill. A wave of strikes is sweeping the country as many workers are now demanding compensation for the enormous increase in the cost of living.
More: New trouble for Johnson – allegations of harassment against MPs