Distract from “Partygate” – Boris Johnson wants to cut BBC funds and take action against migrants


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Boris Johnson is increasingly in trouble, he must act. The prime minister is planning a major “liberation strike”. Meanwhile, his former chief adviser is incriminating him.

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Boris Johnson wants to start a liberation campaign with several populist projects and also wants to reunite his party behind him.

via REUTERS

These included an end to the corona rules in England and tougher action against migrants …

These included an end to the corona rules in England and tougher action against migrants …

REUTERS

... and a BBC reform.  The opposition is outraged.  Labor politician Lucy Powell accused the government of

… and a BBC reform. The opposition is outraged. Labor politician Lucy Powell accused the government of “cultural vandalism”. “This is part of a diversionary strategy to blame everyone but herself,” she told Talk Radio.

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  • Johnson wants to use the Navy to intercept migrant boats.

  • The head of the Conservative Party, Oliver Dowden, also announced that the corona rules would be relaxed.

  • Up until now, every British household with a television had to pay £159 (€190) a year.

After weeks of revelations about lockdown parties at the British seat of government, Prime Minister Boris Johnson now apparently wants to distract from the scandal with several political announcements. As British media reported on Monday, Johnson wants to use populist measures to retaliate in order to appease angry voters and his own party. The prime minister planned:

Tougher crackdowns on migrants

As reported by The Times newspaper, Johnson wants to use the Navy to intercept boats carrying migrants crossing the English Channel from France. Migrants who still make it to the UK should be taken to countries like Ghana or Rwanda until a decision has been made on their asylum applications.

Relaxation of the Corona rules

The head of the Conservative Party, Oliver Dowden, also announced that the corona rules in England would be relaxed. There are “encouraging” signs that the rules on wearing masks indoors, working from home and presenting vaccination certificates could be lifted on January 26, Dowden said. As the “Times” reported at the weekend, the government is already planning to lift all restrictions – including the obligation to test fully vaccinated people upon entry.

Abolition of the broadcasting fee

Johnson’s government’s plans to fund public broadcaster BBC also made headlines. Culture Minister Nadine Dorries announced on Twitter on Sunday that the license fee would be abolished from 2028. “Gone are the days of jail sentences facing the elderly and bailiffs knocking on doors,” Dorries wrote. Up until now, every British household with a television had to pay £159 (€190) a year.

The government now wants to freeze the fee for the next two years, as Dorries said in parliament on Monday. Until the radio license fee is finally abolished, increases are then to be linked to the inflation rate.

In distress because of “Partygate”.

Johnson has been under pressure for weeks over the “Partygate” revelations. On Friday, the British government was forced to apologize to Queen Elizabeth II after reports of lockdown parties at government headquarters. Two farewell ceremonies were reportedly held in Downing Street in April, on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral.

On Wednesday, Johnson admitted to attending a garden party at the seat of government in Downing Street in May 2020 and apologized. At that time, the country was also in a strict corona lockdown and even meetings of more than two people outdoors were forbidden.

Meanwhile, six MPs from Johnson’s conservative Tory party have publicly called for the head of government to resign.

Boris Johnson didn’t get a breather in the “Partygate” on Monday either. His former chief adviser Dominic Cummings, who started the recent avalanche of revelations, followed suit: According to a tweet by Cummings, Johnson was specifically told before the event in question on May 20, 2020 that it was a breach of the lockdown rules act. However, the head of government decided that it should take place anyway, according to Cummings.

He now accused Johnson of lying to Parliament last week. It was actually a party, Cummings said. The prime minister admitted in parliament that he was present at the event. However, he claimed to have held the event for a working meeting.

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(AFP/DPA/small)





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