For the political survivor Boris Johnson the air is getting thinner. The British Prime Minister suffered two crushing defeats for his party in by-elections in English constituencies.
Another blow followed on Friday with the resignation of its general secretary. Nevertheless, Johnson was determined to continue. The 58-year-old has been in office since July 2019, but is increasingly being opposed by his own party.
By-election lost: Tories suffer from missteps by party members
In the by-election, the Conservatives lost the constituency of Tiverton and Honiton in the South West to the Liberal Democrats and the constituency of Wakefield in the North to Labor. Both constituencies have so far been represented by Conservative MPs who have had to resign their mandates because of sexual misconduct. Johnson and his party are also suffering the consequences of the so-called Partygate affair. It’s about illegal celebrations in the government district during the Corona lockdown.
Ex-Secretary-General: “Somebody has to take responsibility”
Conservative general secretary Oliver Dowden justified his resignation as follows: “Somebody has to take responsibility. And I have come to the conclusion that I cannot remain in office under these circumstances.” It is now eagerly awaited whether further departures will follow.
The electoral defeat is likely to further weaken Johnson’s position at the head of the party and government. He acknowledged the defeats at a summit of Commonwealth leaders in Rwanda. He had previously rejected a resignation and even described it as “crazy”. Johnson primarily blames the increased cost of living for the defeats. “As a government, I have to listen to what people are saying, especially about the difficulties they are facing with the cost of living.”
Opposition leader: Johnson must make way
Labor Opposition leader Keir Starmer said of the by-election result: “What a verdict on the Tories and Boris Johnson that is: aloof, unimaginative. And if they had an ounce of decency, they would make way for the good of the country.”
The main problem is that the two constituencies represent two important groups of voters who helped the prime minister to win in 2019. Tiverton and Honiton is in the Conservative homeland of the South West. Wakefield is actually a traditional Labor stronghold in the north of England, which was once characterized by industry and mining. Johnson was able to win there three years ago because the atmosphere was very supportive Brexit was saying goodbye to the EU.
Criticism of Johnson from his own party is getting louder
For many MPs, the fact that the Tories have now suffered crushing defeats in both constituencies is proof that Johnson has become a liability. The Conservatives are headed for defeat in the next general election, warned ex-Attorney General David Gauke. “The best chance to straighten this out is to overthrow the prime minister,” Gauke told Sky News. Johnson had thrown him out of the party.
The head of government recently had to face a vote of no confidence in his own parliamentary group in connection with the Partygate affair. Although he survived the vote, he has since been counted out. According to the rules, another vote of no confidence can take place after twelve months at the earliest. There is speculation that this could be changed. Further resignations from the cabinet or defeats in votes in the lower house could also force Johnson out of office.
Ex-Justice Secretary: Johnson could soon be “game over”.
Gauke expects the knockout to come after the summer break at the latest, when the result of a parliamentary inquiry is expected. A committee is currently examining whether Johnson deliberately misled the House of Commons in the Partygate affair. The prime minister had claimed there had been no parties at government headquarters during the pandemic. The police saw things differently and even issued him with a fine themselves because he was at a party. Gauke said if the committee accused Johnson of lying “it would be game over”.
