The spectacle of Boris Johnson’s torturous political demise has shone a light on the eccentricities of Britain’s political system. From Monday night until this morning – when it was revealed that he intends finally to stand down as Prime Minister – the airwaves were punctuated with ministerial resignation after resignation as his government was gradually reduced to its bare bones. With Mr Johnson standing firm and refusing to go, the Conservative Party’s archaic-sounding 1922 Committee of MPs was mobilised to make him see sense. There was even talk of Queen Elizabeth having the final say on whether or not he stayed at 10, Downing Street. Britain appeared locked in a constitutional quagmire: stuck with a Prime Minister nobody wanted but nobody could get rid of.
Now, this was hardly a January 6 moment. There was no violent march on the Houses of Parliament. And Mr Johnson gave a (mostly) gracious farewell speech this afternoon, the like of which we are yet to hear from Donald Trump.
But it is important to remember just how unedifying the last few days have been – and not just for the UK but also the rest of the world. Britain still plays a key role on the global stage. Mr Johnson himself demonstrated this with his muscular engagement with the Ukraine crisis and enthusiastic attendance of the recent G7 and Nato summits. Britain may no longer be a member of the EU, but if anything this has strengthened its relationships with the rest of the world as it seeks to forge new trade deals of its own – not least in the Middle East. The world needs a British prime minister to be focused on the job, not on his survival.
-
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has succumbed to a rebellion in his ruling Conservative Party and said he would stand down as leader. Reuters -
Several crises, including sleaze allegations against a Conservative MP, had increased the pressure on Mr Johnson. Tim Hammond / No 10 Downing Street -
More than 50 members of his government, including health secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak, have quit. AP -
A new Conservative leader will be selected before a party conference is held in October. AP -
A protester outside Parliament in London. Getty -
Questions are mounting over how much Mr Johnson knew about accusations of misconduct against MP Christopher Pincher. PA -
Nadhim Zahawi leaves No 10 Downing Street after being named as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Getty -
Mr Johnson survived an attempt by Tory MPs to oust him in a vote of confidence in June. PA -
Mr Johnson leaves the Houses of Parliament after the vote. Tory MPs voted by 211 to 148 in the secret ballot in Westminster. EPA -
Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers, announcing the result of the vote. PA -
A police officer patrols Downing Street on Monday. The vote of no confidence marked the most serious challenge yet to Mr Johnson's three-year tenure as prime minister. EPA -
A protester holds up an anti-Boris Johnson placard outside parliament in London. EPA -
Boris Johnson reads the long-awaited report by senior civil servant Sue Gray into the Downing Street party scandal. Photo: Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street -
A gathering in the Cabinet Room at No 10 Downing Street on Mr Johnson's birthday. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Mr Johnson during a gathering held while lockdown rules were in force across the UK. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Another gathering at No 10 Downing Street to mark the departure of a special adviser. Photo: Cabinet Office -
Mr Johnson apologises to MPs in the House of Commons in April, having been fined after a police probe for attending a party during coronavirus lockdowns imposed by his own government. AFP -
Mr Johnson was no more than 30 seconds into his speech when the first shout of 'resign' was heard from the opposition benches, followed by 'you’re an embarrassment' and 'just go'. Reuters -
'I take this opportunity on the first available sitting day to repeat my wholehearted apology to the House,' he said, admitting that 'people had a right to expect better of their prime minister'. AFP -
The prime minister, pictured with a birthday cake baked for him by school staff at Bovingdon Primary Academy in Hemel Hempstead, said it ‘didn't occur’ to him that a gathering on June 19, 2020 to mark his 56th birthday broke coronavirus rules. AFP -
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, left, was also fined for attending lockdown parties held in and around Downing Street. AFP -
Mr Johnson is the first sitting prime minister to be censured for breaking the law, sparking calls from all sides of parliament, including some in his own party, to step down. Reuters -
A lone protester demonstrates at Downing Street in London. EPA -
Before the war broke out in Ukraine, Mr Johnson appeared vulnerable to the Partygate controversy. He has been praised by some for his response to the conflict. AFP -
Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie applaud health workers outside No 10 Downing Street in May 2020. Getty -
Mr Johnson makes a statement in the House of Commons in January on a report regarding the Downing Street parties during lockdown. Reuters -
A journalist highlights sections of the Sue Gray report. AFP -
Mr Johnson is understood to have been present at six of at least 12 'partygate' events under investigation. One occurred on the eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, at which Queen Elizabeth II had to grieve away from other mourners because of social distancing protocol. Getty
This is one of many reasons his announcement was largely welcomed yesterday. But Britain is not yet out of the woods. Mr Johnson intends to continue as caretaker prime minister until the Conservative Party has chosen a new leader, which could take months. Either he will be a lame duck leader or he will risk provoking yet more anger by acting as if it’s business as usual when he no longer has any constitutional right to govern his country. Neither outcome is appealing.
These are challenging times for Britain. It is still recovering from the impact of Covid-19. Inflation is soaring. Family budgets are under strain. The government has a Hobson’s Choice to make between prioritising expenditure – to help those in need – or economy – to help fight inflation and protect public finances. A period of political stability after months of turmoil is required to make such difficult decisions.
And that’s just the short term. The early signs are that Britain’s exit from the EU has caused additional damage to its economy. Britain’s next leader – whoever he or she turns out to be – has to improve trading relationships with the rest of the world to make up for the business that has been lost in the EU. Plus there’s Ukraine, the ageing population, climate change. The sooner British politics can go back to being boring, the better.
