British media reports that a group of ministers gathered at the government residence on Wednesday evening and demanded that the prime minister resign, but Johnson rejected the call.
New finance minister Nadim Zahavi, home secretary Priti Patel and transport minister Grant Shapps were among the ministers who attended Johnson in Downing Street and urged him to resign.
Johnson has told ministers he will stay in office because he has to deal with “very important issues facing the country at the moment”, according to media reports.
It is true, however, that there is no consensus among the members of the government and some ministers believe that Johnson should remain in office.
Dozens of associates abandon the sinking ship
In the last 24 hours, several important ministers of Johnson’s government resigned, criticizing the Prime Minister’s leadership style, honesty and competence.
Other government officials have also announced their resignations; In total, more than 30 colleagues have already left Johnson’s team.
Influential Conservative Party politician Michael Gove has also told Johnson he must step down.
Explaining his reasons for resigning, Health Secretary Sajid Javid accused Johnson of a lack of integrity and lack of rigor in office. He called on the remaining government ministers to resign. True, Johnson managed to find replacements for the departed ministers very quickly in the morning.
But in the afternoon he struggled both in Parliament, where the weekly questioning session of the Prime Minister was held, and then in the Conservative Party Parliamentary Committee. Not only the opposition, but also many members of his own party turned against him.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Foto: ZUMAPRESS.com, Martyn Wheatley
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A government weakened by scandals
The crisis of the British government started several months ago. The prime minister’s reputation was tarnished by reports that parties were held in Johnson’s office during the covid restrictions, in which the prime minister himself took part. Now Johnson is also being criticized for appointing Chris Pincher as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party; this position also means responsibility for maintaining party discipline.
Pincher resigned when allegations surfaced that he drunkenly molested two men at a private members’ club. Johnson is accused of knowing about the allegations when he appointed Pincher. The crisis of the Johnson government is also deepened by the poor results of the conservatives in the recent by-elections. Well, Johnson’s former colleagues also accuse him of lying.
The government will not be able to work without ministers
But the British political system is such that it is difficult to oust a prime minister, and Johnson passed a no-confidence vote a month ago, which could protect him for a year unless his party members change the rules. On the other hand, Johnson himself has announced that he is not going to leave his post.
“Frankly, Mr. Speaker, the duty of the prime minister in difficult circumstances, when he has been given a colossal mandate, is to get on with the job. And that’s what I will do,” Johnson said.
Those familiar with the British prime minister believe that he will not resign voluntarily, although his remaining in office is not good for the party’s ratings. However, if the departure of ministers continues and it is not possible to find replacements, Johnson will have to change his mind, because the government will simply not be able to work.
CONTEXT:
Britain’s political life has been engulfed by scandals over the work parties hosted by Johnson and his subordinates in Downing Street and also in the Prime Minister’s apartment at a time when strict restrictions on covid gatherings were in force across the country.
Although Johnson admits his guilt and promises not to repeat the mistakes he made, there is no shortage of politicians who demanding his resignation.
On June 6, members of the Conservative Party held a vote on Johnson remaining as party leader and British Prime Minister. Johnson passed this vote of confidencebut the fact that more than 40% of his own party MPs voted against the prime minister was a bad sign for Johnson.
Johnson has not been seen much in Brussels since Britain left the European Union, but he is highly valued in Eastern Europe as one of the most active supporters of Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression.
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