In an article discussing the current state of British politics, the author highlights recent events that have rocked the Conservative party, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s impending reprimand from a cross-party privileges committee and his sudden resignation as an MP, alongside two other political allies. These resignations have paved the way for three upcoming by-elections, which will serve as a major test for the leadership of current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The article also discusses the potential impact of these events on the Conservative party’s chances in the upcoming general election next year. The author concludes by speculating about the future of Boris Johnson in British politics, suggesting that he may still be a major force to be reckoned with despite his recent setbacks.
Additional Piece:
The recent events in British politics highlight the ongoing instability that the country is facing. With the Conservatives struggling to maintain control, and the Labour party enjoying a significant lead in the polls, the outcome of the upcoming by-elections will be crucial in determining the future of the government. However, it is important to note that the current state of British politics is not solely the result of recent events. Rather, it is the culmination of years of political turmoil, driven by deepening social and economic divisions that have left many feeling disenfranchised and disconnected from the political process.
Indeed, the rise of populism and nationalism across the globe can be seen as a response to similar social and economic pressures. Brexit, for example, was driven in large part by the long-standing sense of frustration and anger felt by many Britons about immigration, globalisation and the perceived lack of control over their own lives. While it is still too early to fully assess the impact of Brexit, the ongoing political and economic instability suggests that it may have profound and lasting consequences for the country.
Moving forward, it is clear that both the Conservative and Labour parties need to address the underlying sources of discontent and division that are driving political instability. This will require a willingness to listen to the concerns of ordinary citizens, to engage in constructive dialogue, and to find solutions that are equitable and sustainable in the long-term. It will also require a recognition that the challenges we face are complex and multifaceted, and cannot be fully addressed by simplistic, populist or divisive rhetoric.
Ultimately, the future of British politics will depend on whether we can find a way to bridge our differences, to rebuild trust and confidence in our democratic institutions, and to create a society that is more resilient, sustainable and equitable for all. This will take time, effort and commitment, not just from our political leaders, but from each and every one of us. But it is a challenge that we must rise to if we are to build a better future for ourselves and for future generations.
Summary:
The article discusses recent events in British politics, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s impending reprimand from a cross-party privileges committee and his sudden resignation as an MP, alongside two other political allies. These resignations have paved the way for three upcoming by-elections, which will serve as a major test for the leadership of current Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. The article also discusses the potential impact of these events on the Conservative party’s chances in the upcoming general election next year. The author concludes by speculating about the future of Boris Johnson in British politics, suggesting that he may still be a major force to be reckoned with despite his recent setbacks. The additional piece discusses the underlying sources of discontent and division in British politics, and argues that finding a way to address these issues is crucial for the future of the country.
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Rishi Sunak had hoped to move beyond the psychodrama of Boris Johnson’s premiership and curb the political roller coaster of recent years. It was wishful thinking.
This week will see the most damning criticism in living memory by Parliament of a former prime minister with Johnson set to be reprimanded by the cross-party privileges committee.
And the current British Prime Minister has just weeks left to prepare for a trio of by-elections placed like landmines under his administration by his outraged predecessor.
Johnson quit as MP Friday night — at least”for the moment— in a Donald Trump-esque moment. He was joined by two political cronies, Nadine Dorries and Nigel Adams.
Their departure paves the way for three by-elections which will be the first major test of Sunak’s leadership – at a time when the mood in the party is already unstable and Labor enjoys a 15-point lead in the opinion polls.
The Conservatives have lost several seats where they held huge majorities over the past two years — in Tiverton and HonitonNorth Shropshire and Chesham and Amersham.
Johnson will relish potential setbacks from Sunak, a former protege who was among the ministers who forced him from power a year ago in a rush of resignations.
But with no sign of other MPs following suit, allies played down the idea of an elaborate scheme. “I don’t think this is part of an elaborate plot to destabilize and overthrow Rishi Sunak,” said Guto Harri, Johnson’s former spokesman.
Instead, Johnson jumped after learning on Thursday that he was facing stiff penalties from the privileges committee.
The group of MPs, which meets on Monday – and will publish its findings soon after – had concluded that Johnson deliberately lied to MPs when he told Parliament he was unaware of the parties in Downing Street during the lockdowns of Covid-19.
Committee members had agreed to punish Johnson with a suspension of more than 10 days in the House of Commons, which would trigger a recall vote in his constituency, which could have led to a by-election.
Johnson, who had advance knowledge of the report before it was published, decided to jump in before being driven by a blistering attack on what he dubbed a “kangaroo court”. The Privileges Committee responded by saying that Johnson had “challenged the integrity of the House”.
On Sunday, Johnson’s version of events was contradicted by Grant Shapps, a senior cabinet minister, who defended the committee and insisted its members be allowed to “continue their work”.
Shapps, the energy secretary, dismissed the idea that the committee was biased or that Johnson had been kicked out by the “establishment,” noting that the seven-member committee had a conservative majority. “He (Johnson) is the one who retired from the current political scene.”
The ex-Prime Minister’s anger has also been fueled by the fact that his bid to sneak three of his MP allies – including Dorries and Adams – into the House of Lords was thwarted when Downing Street posted his resignation honors on Friday .
Johnson’s allies claimed he had been reassured by Sunak at a June 2 meeting that the trio would be granted peerages, albeit on a delayed basis to avoid multiple by-elections. But Sunak’s team insisted no such promises had been made, with the list instead being vetted by the House of Lords Independent Appointments Commission (Holac).
Downing Street said over the weekend that Sunak had told Johnson he would ‘not interfere with the process’, adding: ‘Any suggestion of a promise being made or a guarantee being given is categorically false.’
The resumption of civil war within the Conservative Party could overshadow Sunak’s attempts to prepare not only for the impending by-elections, but also for the general elections next year.
Pat McFadden, a Labor MP, said three by-elections would prove there were no “no go zones” for his party: “We’re going to fight them all to win,” he said.
Johnson’s former seat in Uxbridge is the easiest target for Labor with a Conservative majority of 7,210 votes. Adams enjoyed a more substantial majority of 20,137 in Selby.
Dorries’ former seat of Mid Bedfordshire, where she had a majority of 24,664, could be the toughest challenge and is also likely to be targeted by the Liberal Democrats.
Johnson is a diminished figure in Westminster – in March he led a rebellion against Sunak’s Northern Ireland deal which attracted just 22 names. “Good riddance” was the view of a great conservative.
Yet he is still a box office star with huge support among party members, having completed Brexit and led the Tories to a landslide victory in the 2019 general election.
Mark Jenkinson, the MP for Workington, said he was “very sad” that a “political giant” had been kicked out of the Commons, blaming a “witch hunt”.
Even Sunak supporters fear Johnson’s soap opera may not have seen its final episode.
Shapps played down the idea of a future Johnson return, telling Sky News“I’m sure he has a lot of other things he wants to do.”
Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing & Shoreham, said it was time for Johnson to “shut up and let the adults in government” get on with their job.
But Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former Cabinet minister who was knighted by Johnson in his resignation honors on Friday, said the former PM would be ‘in pole position’ to return as Tory leader if he there was a vacancy in the future.
‘I would very strongly caution the leadership of the Conservative Party against any attempt to block Boris if he seeks the party’s nomination for another seat,’ he said, adding: ‘I am looking at an undetermined date in the future when Rishi’s hair has turned gray and he decides to retire and Boris goes back on his charger to save the nation.
https://www.ft.com/content/f42455a7-8d68-4f00-861b-e7016b098721
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