UK’s Boris Johnson clings to power as ‘partygate’ scandal rumbles on
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Boris Johnson, Britain’s Prime Minster speaks to maths students as he visits Oakwood School in Uxbridge on January 10, 2022.
Leon Neal | Getty Images News | Getty Images
LONDON — U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s position is looking increasingly vulnerable as more reports emerge of parties and gatherings in Downing Street during periods of Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
Kier Starmer (leader of the Opposition Labour Party) accused Johnson of violating Covid laws. There were many allegations about parties and gatherings held by government employees, some of which Johnson attended during lockdown.
More reports about parties emerged in the past few days, and Downing Street apologized to Queen Elizabeth for allowing two parties to take place just before Prince Phillip’s funeral. It was revealed that one party took place in the evening of April 20, 2021. In which Downing Street claimed that an employee went out to purchase a “suitcase” of wine.
Starmer told the BBC that Johnson had “lied” about Downing Street’s “industrial scale partying”.
“The facts are clear and convincing, the country is in control,” he stated, noting that it was “blindingly apparent” what had happened.
He broke the law. I believe he did. he told the BBC.
Johnson confessed to Parliament that he attended Downing Street’s drinks party last week during U.K’s May 2020 Covid lockdown. However, he said it was “work events.”
Johnson stated that Johnson had taken another photo of him with his wife and 17 Downing Street staff, showing them drinking wine in the No.10 garden and eating cheese at an event in May 2020. This was “people at work.”
Johnson’s Conservative Party lawmakers have called for the resignation of the prime minister. They claim his position is no longer viable as public outrage has increased as there have been more revelations of party-held in government buildings. Johnson’s judgement and Downing Street’s work culture have been questioned by others.
Johnson’s Cabinet minister closest have maintained their loyalty for the moment, saying they will wait to hear from Sue Gray (a senior civil servant) about whether gatherings and parties took place at various government buildings that violated Covid rules.
These results could be made public later in the week. Sky News has published a list of the alleged parties here.
Oliver Dowden of Conservative Party reiterated this position Sunday to BBC, saying that “the challenge for us now” is “how we address the undercurrent culture in Downing Street”. He also stated that “we have to improve our game and that that must be addressed. I am sure the prime minister has committed to that.”
Johnson’s words
It is clear how deep the scandal of “partygate,” has gotten. The U.K.’s top civil servant, Cabinet secretary Simon Case, who was to investigate the allegations against the parties was forced to resign. himself after it was revealed that a gathering was held in his own private office in December 2020, also breaking rules in place at the time.
Johnson said last week that he was at a party called “Bring Your Own Booze” and held in Downing Street’s Garden. Around 100 people were invited to the event, which took place during Covid’s first lockdown in Great Britain.
This is the moment people in the U.K. were only allowed to meet one other person from outside their householdThey had to be outdoors and follow other rules.
Johnson addressed a packed House of Commons last week. He offered his heartfelt apologies to the nation, but also defended himself by saying that he only went to the party for 25 mins to thank staff and to say that he believed implicitly that it was a work event.
Starmer, an opposition leader, addressed Parliament following Johnson’s admission. He said Johnson’s explanation was “so ridiculous it’s actually offending to the British Public” and called for Johnson to “do a decent thing and resign.”
Johnson’s Party Ends
The British media have tried to reveal more information about parties. Photos of many of the events were leaked to press. However, anger has grown among the British people because the gatherings occurred at times that are not appropriate for socializing.
People who have lost family members during the pandemic expressed their outrage at reports that parties were reporting they had robbed them of special moments with loved ones while politicians ignored the rules.
Johnson is not yet showing any signs that he might be considering moving to the White House. Johnson has not been in the news lately due to his positive Covid test.
Although it’s being closely monitored to determine whether Johnson will face a more formidable challenge from his Cabinet, the majority of Tory politicians said that they await the outcomes of Sue Gray’s eagerly awaited inquiry.
The outcome of May’s local elections in Britain could decide whether Johnson resigns or the Conservative Party goes against him.
Johnson and his government also have been through political storms in the past and are credited with “getting Brexit done”. However, Tory lawmakers are now evaluating whether Johnson is capable of winning a future election given the low level of public trust.
Ruth Gregory (senior U.K. economist, Capital Economics) noted last Friday how “it is striking the speed at which the political momentum has changed” with Johnson going from “feeling smug” over his decision to not increase the Covid-19 restriction in the wake Omicron wave, to confronting what she called “the hardest days of her political career” and speculation growing that Johnson is facing a leadership challenge.
She noted that there were two flashpoints ahead, “With remaining questions over the parties at 10 Downing Street in the Covid-19 lockdowns,”
“First, publishing… the report that investigated whether or not the PM had violated Covid-19 lockdown regulations at Downing Street parties. The resignation of Cabinet members. We doubt that this period of political instability, regardless of the outcome, will slow down the economy’s recovery. Uncertainty has caused economic problems in the past (including after the 2010 hung Parliament).
SterlingThe pound has remained unaffected by the political turmoils and remains buoyant against the dollar last week. It is currently up 0.2% year-to-date against the greenback. A pound was $1.3675 on Monday morning.
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