By Haowen Tan
Summary
As a politician, Boris Johnson had made mistakes that completely compromised his career, and at least for now, he is not seen as one who can lead the UK out of its current economic crisis. The fates of the country are still in the hands of the Conservatives for at least one and a half year. In the meantime, the lasting effects of Johnson’s resignation will surface.
Stepping Down
On July 7th, 2022, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned as the Leader of the Conservative Party. He will step down as Prime Minister after a replacement is found. As a controversial political figure in the UK and the entirety of Europe, the resignation of Boris Johnson is a breaking but predictable event. After a series of scandals surrounding Johnson’s career as Prime Minister, the Conservative Party and most British politicians see him as a political liability rather than an asset to the nation. Despite surviving a vote of no confidence in June, Boris Johnson was challenged by 40% of Conservative lawmakers, which led to his resignation.
As a controversial political figure in the UK and the entirety of Europe, the resignation of Boris Johnson is a breaking but predictable event.
"Enough is enough. We don't need to change the Tory at the top -- we need a proper change of government. We need a fresh start for Britain," said Keir Starmer, the leader of the British Labor Party.
Partygate
One major reason for Conservative lawmakers to lose confidence in Johnson was a scandal related to his violation of lockdown rules. Amidst the national lockdown of the UK in June 2020, Boris Johnson attended several parties in the Downing Street Garden. This scandal led to an uproar among many Parliament members and British people. Boris Johnson bears direct responsibility for such political culture that Prime Minister and government officials act to be above law. Eventually, more than 100 fines have been issued to attendees of these parties, including Boris Johnson.
Amidst the national lockdown of the UK in June 2020, Boris Johnson attended several parties in the Downing Street Garden.
Chris Pincher Scandal
As a senior member to Boris Johnson’s government, Chris Pincher was alleged of sexual harassment at a private members’ club. Later, it is revealed that Pincher had many past sexual harassment allegations. Initially, Boris Johnson’s spokesperson claimed that Prime Minister was not aware of Pincher’s allegations during the time when he was appointed. However, new evidences showed that Johnson was briefed about Pincher’s allegations in 2019.
Declining Economy
Beside scandals, Boris Johnson and his cabinet’s management of the British economy is also disappointing. In 2022, UK suffered from an inflation rate that went as high as 9.1%. Without effective government policies under the Johnson administration, the cost of living and tax rate rose across the nation. Average combined gas and electricity bills is forecasted to rise to £2,800 a year. In terms of GDP, estimations show that the UK will fall the bottom of the G7 growth league next year.
In 2022, UK suffered from an inflation rate that went as high as 9.1%. Without effective government policies under the Johnson administration, the cost of living and tax rate rose across the nation.
What’s Next?
Boris Johnson’s resignation is a hard hit on the Conservative Party. In 2019, Boris Johnson’s party won with the greatest margin since the 1980s in the election, and he delivered his promise to “Get Brexit Done.” However, consecutive scandals and failed Covid policies damaged the credibility of Johnson and his party. Currently, the Conservative Party is not in a very healthy state to win another election, which means that members will push the next election as far as possible into 2024. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party is choosing a temporary replacement for Boris Johnson. Given the declining economic conditions in the UK, a dragged-out succession will further increase indecisiveness in economic policies that will put the Conservatives at greater disadvantage.
Given the declining economic conditions in the UK, a dragged-out succession will further increase indecisiveness in economic policies that will put the Conservatives at greater disadvantage.
Certainly, Boris Johnson had made tremendous contributions as the prime minister. Yet as a politician, he had made mistakes that completely compromised his career, and at least for now, he is not seen as one who can lead the UK out of its current economic crisis. The fates of the country are still in the hands of the Conservatives for at least one and a half year. In the meantime, the lasting effects of Johnson’s resignation will surface.
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