The political landscape in the UK has been shaken by the abrupt resignation of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson from his role as a Member of Parliament. The 58-year-old politician cited a “stitch-up” by his adversaries as the explanation for his departure, as he faces an investigation by a cross-party committee over allegations of mendacity to Parliament about lockdown-breaching parties throughout his time in workplace.
More denied the accusations, but said that the committee’s intention was to “drive me out of Parliament.” By leaving his place, he avoids a possible suspension and a subsequent by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency in northwest London, where he holds a narrow majority of just over 7,000 votes.
The former Prime Minister criticised the privileges committee, which is chaired by opposition Labour MP Harriet Harman, labelling it a “kangaroo courtroom.” He expressed his disappointment and shock at being “forced out, anti-democratically,” claiming that the committee’s unpublished report contains inaccuracies and shows a prejudiced stance towards him.
In response, the privileges committee accused Johnson of impugning the integrity of the House along with his assertion. Observers have famous that the former Prime Minister’s resignation has thrown a proverbial grenade into the center of Rishi Sunak’s government, inflicting widespread speculation in regards to the impression on the Conservative Party.
Johnson loyalist Nadine Dorries also resigned as an MP, leading to two by-elections for the present Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, to contend with as his party’s reputation dips within the polls. Reactions to Johnson’s departure have been polarised, with some expressing reduction and others lamenting the loss.
Patrick Diamond, a former policy adviser to the Labour Party and professor in public policy at Queen Mary University of London, suggested that Johnson’s assertion could probably be laying the groundwork for a potential political comeback. He famous that despite the damning findings of the privileges committee report, Johnson stays relatively well-liked within the Conservative Party and among conservative voters..g