Despite the resignation of two of his top ministers and an opinion poll showing that most Britons want him to leave, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sought to maintain a firm stance and said on Wednesday (6) that he will not leave the government. .
“The job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances is to carry on. And that’s what I’m going to do,” Boris said during a weekly question-and-answer session in Parliament, in which three members of his own party, the Conservative Party, questioned if he would resign.
“Clearly, if there were circumstances where I felt it was impossible for the government to fulfill the mandate we were given, or if I felt, for example, that we were being thwarted in our desire to support the Ukrainian people, then I would resign.” pondered the prime minister.
A YouGov poll found that 69% of Britons say they want the prime minister’s resignation, a new record. Among supporters of the Conservative Party, 54% say they are in favor of his departure, a figure for the first time higher than those who want him to stay – 33%.
Boris’ government is deeply worn out by the resignation of the ministers of finance and health on Tuesday (5) – Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid – two of the most experienced secretaries in his government. The stampede comes on the heels of a series of scandals, including parties on Downing Street during the pandemic lockdown and the recent scandal of an ally of his party accused of harassment. Boris is the target of accusations for omitting himself even though he is aware of the congressman’s inappropriate conduct.
After the ministers left, at least 18 parliamentarians with minor roles in the government also resigned, which shows the level of hostility that Boris faces even within his closest circle. The latest resignations are from advisers David Johnston, Claire Coutinho and Selaine Saxby.
Also on Wednesday, now-ex-minister Sajid Javid made a scathing attack on Boris’ leadership, telling him and his Conservative Party colleagues that it was time for the prime minister to step down. Considered a possible candidate to replace Boris, Javid listed a series of scandals that have involved the prime minister and his cabinet in recent months.
“At some point, we have to conclude that enough is enough. I believe that point is now,” he told parliament, as lawmakers sat silently and the prime minister listened without expressing reaction.
According to Alex Chalk, the government’s second most senior legal adviser, the cumulative effect of a series of crises has stripped the public of the belief that the government could maintain expected standards of candor. “I regret that I share this judgment,” he said.
About a month ago, Boris survived a vote of no confidence, a mechanism that could remove him from power. Under current rules, he is safe for a year, but his party can review the rules and try a new vote, something Rep. Anthony Browne has already called for.
In addition to the controversies that the government itself produces, Boris is criticized by the population for an alleged lack of action to face the rise in the cost of living, a phenomenon intensified by the Ukrainian War, with many Britons having to deal with rising fuel prices. and food.
