Posted in: 08/06/2022 – 09:46
LONDON (Archyde.com) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces lawmakers on Wednesday in a likely tense impeachment session, two days after he narrowly avoided a vote of no confidence in his Conservative Party, fed up with a series of scandals such as Party Gate. While former Conservative official William Hague warned the damage was “huge”, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, a major critic of the prime minister, went so far as to say Johnson should “go now” and resign.
Represents the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson He will appear before Parliament on Wednesday in an impeachment session expected to be tense, two days after he evaded a vote of no-confidence in his Conservative Party, fed up with a series of scandals such as “Partygate”.
Johnson narrowly escaped a vote of confidence organized by opposition Conservative Party MPs fed up with scandals such as Partygate over parties held at Downing Street during the strict lockdown at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Although party regulations do not allow a year-long vote of confidence, Johnson has the delicate task of wooing his party’s lawmakers and voters frustrated by the scandals and suffering the highest inflation in the country in 40 years.
On Wednesday, Johnson is represented in front of lawmakers in a weak position after losing the confidence of more than 40 percent of his party’s deputies (148 out of 359 voters). And former conservative official William Hague warned in a statement to the newspaper “The Times” that the damage is “huge”. “Speech that cannot be retracted, reports published that cannot be erased, and votes cast showing a level of ostracism that no previous conservative official has faced,” Hague said.
Although he sighed with relief at having persuaded a majority of Conservative MPs, Johnson is not yet done with the Partygate fallout. After the investigation of the police and Chief of State Sue Gray, a parliamentary investigation is expected this time. And if this investigation concludes, likely next fall, that Johnson deceived the House of Commons by assuring it to it that he did not violate the procedures and restrictions, he should submit his resignation. By-elections in two regions on June 23 will be a test for the conservative leader, who rules out the possibility of early elections. The election date is set for 2024.
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen, a major critic of the prime minister, went so far as to say Johnson should “go now” and resign. Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative MP who also called on Johnson to resign, expected the prime minister to hold office “just a few months”. And put forward many names to succeed him. Among them, in particular, is Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, whose popularity has declined due to his wealth and the tax arrangements of his wealthy wife, who is viewed with suspicion in light of the purchasing power crisis.
FRANCE 24/AFP