“Partygate” in the United Kingdom: “Boris Johnson’s resignation is only a matter of days”

Boris Johnson in turmoil. New revelations about the parties held at the heart of British power have further tarnished the image of the British Prime Minister, now openly contested within his majority. The situation was further complicated on Thursday after revelations from the media The Telegraph : another party took place in Downing Street, still in full confinement and on the eve of the funeral of prince Philip, the husband of queen Elizabeth. And this, while the country was in national mourning… Forcing the services of the Prime Minister to apologize this Friday.

Will “Bojo” have to leave power? The lighting of Patrick Martin-Genier, essayist and teacher at Sciences Po Paris and at the National Institute of Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations (INALCO).

Is Boris Johnson close to resigning?

He fights for his political survival. He had been able to get out of his various lies, his breaches of health rules, Brexit… But what has just happened is very serious. There were several meetings, “garden parties” in 2020 during confinement. If he was able to justify himself on that of May 15, there is that of May 20 where about forty people came with bottles, pizzas. He had to say he was there, and publicly apologized for it.

Nevertheless: at the time of this meeting, there was a formal ban on going out to the UK to meet more than one person. There, his offense is considerable. It is morally unacceptable. We saw a deputy in tears, people lost their loved ones without being able to go see them…. This does not pass with the British people. And, again this Friday morning, we learn that on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021, while the country was still applying strict rules, there were dozens of people at 10 Downing Street. Certainly, in the absence of Boris Johnson. But this attitude is no longer acceptable to the British people. We feel that things escape Boris Johnson. I believe that his resignation is only a matter of days, he can no longer protect himself.

Rise in unpopular taxes, rescue of an MP friend caught in the act of lobbying, lies about the Downing Street parties… Has Boris Johnson multiplied the missteps?

These parties are the final straw. He is also accused of multiple acts of corruption, illegal taking of interests. He also wanted to protect a parliamentary friend who had done paid lobbying…. He lost his popularity when he comfortably elected in 2019. Today, he no longer has any credibility. His authority and his reputation are ruined.

Critics now fuse on the side of the conservatives. Do they have an interest in seeing him give up his place?

They are afraid of losing the majority in the next elections. According to a YouGov poll published on Thursday, they are 10 points behind Labor (28 to 38). This recalls the case of Margaret Thatcher 30 years ago: she had won the elections but her position was no longer tenable. The same is happening for Boris Johnson. His party is very worried and could implement an impeachment procedure.