According to media reports, a group of Boris Johnson’s senior ministers were prepared to ask him to step down as British prime minister on Wednesday after he insisted he would not quit despite a growing rebellion within his party.
Some questioned the wisdom of Johnson trying to weather the storm, speculating aloud as to whether there was anyone left to fill the sudden influx of vacancies in light of a BBC report that some of his most senior ministers were prepared to tell Johnson to resign.
Johnson claimed that despite being almost certain to die, the results of the 2019 election gave him the green light to continue.
He stated to a parliamentary committee, “I am not going to step down and, frankly, an election is the last thing this country needs.
The reaction was harsh. Some Conservative Party members found it difficult to hold back their laughter when the prime minister was made fun of during parliamentary questions. Later, he received a beating from the so-called liaison committee, which interrogated him about his past actions, his motivations, and some of the scandals that have come to characterize much of his tenure.
The so-called 1922 Committee, which establishes the guidelines for leadership confidence votes, might provide Johnson with some relief.
It decided to change the rules to advance a vote of confidence in Johnson before holding an election for its executive.
Johnson was certain he would prevail in a motion for confidence, according to a spokesperson.
Johnson’s determination to continue was unwavering.
When he arrived at Parliament for the appearance, he replied, “No, no, no” when asked if he would resign. He joked that he was having a “terrific” week while announcing to the liaison committee that he would continue to carry out the program that helped him win the 2019 election.
Johnson told the legislature, “Frankly, the job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances when you’ve been handed a colossal mandate is to keep going. And I’m going to do just that.
He had previously made an effort to reassert his authority by swiftly selecting Nadhim Zahawi, a rising star in the Conservative Party who is widely credited with the successful introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, the BBC claimed that Zahawi would be among the cabinet ministers to demand that he step down.
Johnson may not have been in denial about the level of resentment in his party following his appearances before the liaison committee and in parliament.
Conservative lawmakers kept pressing him on whether he would go after the liaison committee as the opposition Labour leader made fun of his cabinet for being in the “charge of the lightweight brigade.” In parliament, cabinet ministers found it difficult to hold back their laughter.
It highlighted how his political fortunes had changed from a resounding election victory in 2019 to the present, when the resignation of his finance and health ministers had let more junior ministers follow suit.
His former health minister, Sajid Javid, spoke from behind the benches and described the scandals, errors, and blunders that have characterized Johnson’s administration thus far.
“We have to come to the conclusion that enough is enough at some point. I think that moment has come “Javid addressed the chamber, which was dead silent and Johnson’s expressionless.
SCREAMING AND KICKING
After a relatively calm beginning to his later appearance before the select committee chairs, questions about his behavior and his views on ethical standards in politics quickly took over.
In reference to his justification for appointing someone who had been accused of sexual misconduct, he was once questioned about whether he was experiencing memory loss when he was unable to respond to a question.
One Conservative lawmaker told Reuters, speaking anonymously, “I suspect we will have to drag him kicking and screaming from Downing Street.” But we will if that is the only option.
His resounding victory in the 2019 elections gave way to a combative and frequently disorganized style of governance. He was a former journalist turned mayor of London who became the face of Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Over the past few months, his leadership has been dogged by scandals, with the police fining the prime minister for violating COVID-19 lockdown laws and a damning report detailing the actions of staff members at his Downing Street office who disregarded their own lockdown policies.
As many Britons struggle to cope with rising fuel and food prices, there have also been policy U-turns, a disastrous defense of a lawmaker who violated lobbying laws, and criticism that he hasn’t done enough to combat inflation.
In the most recent scandal, Johnson was forced to issue an apology for having appointed a lawmaker to a position that dealt with party welfare and discipline despite being informed that the politician had received complaints of sexual misconduct.
The prime minister’s knowledge of the politician’s previous actions, for which he was forced to resign, and when he knew it have been the subject of several changes in Downing Street’s account. His spokesman cited Johnson’s memory as the cause.
Javid and Rishi Sunak both resigned from their positions as health secretary and chancellor of the exchequer, respectively, as a result.
The lack of judgment, standards, and honesty displayed by Johnson was cited as reasons for resignation by a number of junior ministers.
According to a recent YouGov poll, 69 percent of Britons believe Johnson should resign as prime minister.
Johnson recently survived a vote of confidence by Conservative lawmakers.
He cannot take on another challenge of this nature for a year, but some lawmakers want to change the party rules. If Johnson were to leave, it might take a few months to find a replacement.
Gary Sambrook, a Conservative lawmaker first elected in 2019, stated, “As the prime minister constantly tries to deflect from the issue, always tries to blame other people for mistakes, there is nothing left for him to do other than to take responsibility and resign.”
