Boris Johnson’s No-Confidence Crisis After Partygate Fine
Boris Johnson has unreservedly apologised for his Partygate blunder, admitting: “I repeat that was my mistake and I apologise for it unreservedly.” But the Prime Minister’s sorry won’t cut it with everyone.
Starmer Slams Johnson as ‘Dishonest’ and ‘A Joke’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer didn’t hold back, branding Johnson “dishonest” and “a joke”. Meanwhile, Tory firebrand Mark Harper threw down the gauntlet, confirming he’s handed in a no-confidence letter in the PM.
Harper wrote: “Johnson is no longer able to deliver the principled leadership required to take our country forward.”
Leadership Contest Looms as Tory Rebels Circle
The clock is ticking. If 54 letters of no confidence pile up, Tory MPs can trigger a leadership contest. All letters go to Sir Graham Brady, who chairs the 1922 Committee of backbenchers. No official tally exists, but the pressure is mounting.
Opposition Demands Resignation, Tories Mostly Stand Firm
- Labour, Lib Dems, SNP and Plaid Cymru call for Johnson’s resignation.
- Only Mark Harper breaks ranks among Tory MPs.
- SNP’s Ian Blackford labels the PM a “serial offender” who only apologised because he got caught.
Thursday’s showdown debate will question if Johnson misled MPs by claiming Downing Street followed all pandemic rules. A government defeat, though unlikely, could spark an investigation that might see Johnson found in contempt of Parliament or even suspended.
Lib Dem Leader Demands Free Vote on Johnson’s Future
Sir Ed Davey urged Johnson to let Conservative MPs vote freely on whether he lied to Parliament.
“If the Prime Minister won’t resign, will he at least give Conservative MPs a free vote to decide whether he deliberately misled Parliament or was just so incompetent he didn’t understand his own laws?”
Johnson pushed back: “I disagree profoundly with what he’s just said but I repeat my apology to the country.”
