Prime Minister Boris Johnson perhaps had a difficult Monday evening, which turned out to be marginally successful for him as the British parliamentarians voted for and against a no-confidence vote - deciding Johnson’s fate right after the grand Jubilee celebration weekend. Last week, as Sue Gray’s report of the Party-gate exposed the Tories of breaking Covid lockdown rules as thousands lost their lives, the demand for Boris’ resignation soared across opposition, including British citizens.
He won Monday’s confidence vote by 211 to 148 .“I think it’s an extremely good, positive, conclusive, decisive result which enables us to move on, to unite and to focus on delivery,” Johnson said after Monday’s result.
Critics have pointed out, that despite the PM’s very usual upbeat tone on the result, the rebellion against the Prime Minister shows that his authority has weakened, with some asking him to resign.
It has been reported that Johnson is trying to reunite the cabinet since the vote. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab told the BBC he had no intention of quitting. “I will always put first and foremost the good of the country,” he said, adding that was best served by Johnson remaining in post.
Recent polls predict damaging Tory losses in by-elections in Tiverton and Honiton to the Liberal Democrats and Wakefield to Labour. At a Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, Johnson was loudly booed by a crowd of the Tories’ die-hard supporters waving Union Flags.
Foreign secretary Liz Truss has not openly come out against Johnson, however, so far positioning herself as the inheritor of his support group if he does fall. She tweeted early Monday, “The Prime Minister has my 100% backing in today’s vote and I strongly encourage colleagues to support him.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: “From the vaccine rollout to our response to Russian aggression, the PM has shown the strong leadership our country needs.
I am backing him today and will continue to back him as we focus on growing the economy, tackling the cost of living and clearing the Covid backlogs. The PM has won the confidence vote and now it’s time to move forward.
Tomorrow we get back to work growing the economy and delivering better public services.”
Health Secretary Sajid Javid tweeted: “Tonight the PM has secured a fresh mandate from the parliamentary party.
Now we need to unite and focus on the country’s challenges. Boosting economic growth, tackling the Covid backlogs, protecting our national security, and so much more.”
Conservative Friends of India tweeted: “Our PM has led our remarkable vaccine rollout, & unprecedented economic support during Covid. Delivering on a post-Brexit Britain, securing FTAs globally and providing key strategy & support to Ukraine &her people. Now is the time to focus on the priorities supporting the PM’.”
It is imperative to note that the Labour party currently is not a strong opposition. Even their leader is being investigated for breaking rules and the party’s recent anti-India sentiments have moved traditional voters far away from the trusting core.
Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer said, “The choice is clearer than ever before: Divided Tories propping up Boris Johnson with no plan to tackle the issues you are facing. Or a united Labour Party with a plan to fix the cost of living crisis and restore trust in politics.Labour will get Britain back on track.”
