There are increasing demands for Boris Johnson to resign, even by his party members, following new revelations against him about attending a party in Downing Street violating Covid-19 rules and the prime minister acknowledging the issue and apologising. Weeks after several scandals involving Boris Johnson became public, the prime minister finally admitted his mistake in Parliament and apologised. But this apology is not enough for the British people, and they want Boris Johnson to resign as prime minister. Demands for his resignation following the new revelations have pressured him.
Boris Johnson Apologises to the British People
Speaking in the UK Parliament, while acknowledging a party in the garden of his residence at Number 10 during the first nationwide quarantine, Johnson said that he understands the people’s anger towards this celebration. He also admitted that he attended the garden party at his residence on 20 May 2020. The PM announced that he had participated in the party to thank his staff and called it a working meeting. Johnson insisted he returns to his office after about 25 minutes. In retrospect, Johnson admitted that he should have acted differently.
Boris Johnson Insulted the British
The leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, accused Boris Johnson of insulting the people with his statement. He called for Johnson to step down. In mid-December, the Guardian posted a photo of Johnson and more than a dozen others drinking wine in the garden at Downing Street. In this photo, Johnson is sitting at a table on the terrace with a glass in front of him. The prime minister’s wife, Carrie Johnson, was sitting next to Johnson with her newborn son in her arms.
Two others were also sitting at the table. Four other people were sitting at another table on the terrace, and a group of nine people were seen in the garden a little further away from the table on which the wine bottles were. The violation of the restrictions by Boris Johnson is an insult to the British because, in those days, they had to cancel their parties and follow the rules set by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Covid-19 Restrictions Violated by Boris Johnson and His Wife
Sky News reported that Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Johnson took part in a gathering in the garden of their official residence on 20 May 2020, attended by 30 to 40 staff of the PM’s Office. Under quarantine rules in the UK at the time, only two family members were allowed to meet outdoors.
One hundred staff reported that the email stated they should make the most of the good weather in the garden and bring alcohol with them to drink by social distancing. Violations of Covid-19 restrictions show that Boris Johnson and his wife do not believe in obeying the laws laid down by the Conservative government under their leadership and that they do not adhere to rules and regulations in practice.
Media Criticism of Boris Johnson’s Performance
The release of new documents on the violation of restrictions by Boris Johnson and his government has created a new wave of criticism against the UK PM. The media has also strongly criticised Boris Johnson’s behavioural paradox, arguing that Boris Johnson’s political life is over and resign as prime minister.
The revelation of the party documents is just one of the scandals that Johnson has faced recently. Johnson has now become the leading subject of much of the British media. Even the conservative Telegraph newspaper close to the government headlined after the revelations: “Boris Johnson losing Tory support as the storm grows over Downing Street garden party.” The media accuses the prime minister of lying and raises whether Boris Johnson’s government will fall apart due to the new revelations. Many media outlets, including the BBC, told the story of families who lost relatives to the Covid-19 at the same time as Johnson’s May 2020 party.
The Independent quoted some Downing Street staff that they received an order last month to remove potentially annoying messages from their systems. The British media asked Johnson to end these ridiculous parties right now. Johnson has shown that he is alien to citizenship rights. Instead of expressing regret, he played a shameful game of a prime minister who has lost his reputation and credibility. Johnson had previously announced in Parliament that he had not attended the parties.
Political Parties Criticise Boris Johnson’s Double Standards
Ed Miliband, a British Labour politician, said in an interview: “How can he lead the country through these difficult times, get people to follow public health advice if he has so flagrantly breached the rules?” Six Conservative MPs have declared no confidence in the prime minister, while Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the SNP urge him to resign. Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross says Boris Johnson’s position is “no longer tenable” following the prime minister’s admission. he attended a “bring your own booze” drinks event at the height of the UK’s first national lockdown in May 2020. Another member of Johnson’s party called the party indefensible. The YouGov poll for Sky News showed that 56% of respondents believe Johnson should step down, with 27% saying he should remain and 17% saying they don’t know either way.
With repeated revelations, Boris Johnson’s resignation demands are increasing day by day. This is the worst scandal the Prime Minister has ever experienced. It is neither explicable nor possible to distance from. The only way to save Boris Johnson is to make it insignificant to the public. Boris Johnson has resisted calls to step down and is trying to save his political life. Still, polls show that the British are no longer willing to accept Boris Johnson as their prime minister. He must step down as soon as possible.
