British politicians, including members of his own Conservative Party, have spent recent days crafting Boris Johnson’s political demise. He is widely believed to be finished, with headlines proclaiming his downfall. On Monday, another blow was dealt, as the House of Commons voted overwhelmingly to accept a damaging report from the Privileges Committee. The report concluded that Johnson had repeatedly misled Parliament about boozy parties held at Downing Street during the pandemic. The vote to accept the report, which strongly suggested that Johnson had knowingly lied, was 354 versus 7. Even many Conservative members voted against Johnson. This was a significant humiliation for a once high-flying politician. Johnson promptly resigned his seat after seeing an early draft of the report.
Misleading Parliament is a serious offense in Britain and can lead to sanctions or a recall election. Johnson quit before he could be fired. The debate in the House of Commons regarding the report was expected to be a major moment, demonstrating the importance of truth-telling in Parliament. However, the benches were mostly empty, and there was no dramatic showdown. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not attend, and many Conservative lawmakers also failed to appear. The debate lacked the anticipated grandeur and urgency.
During the debate, former prime minister Theresa May stood and expressed her acceptance of the report. Other Conservative Party members softly condemned Johnson, acknowledging his imperfections and casual relationship with the truth. The condemnation from opposition lawmakers was expected. Johnson dismissed the year-long investigation as a “kangaroo court” and treated the public “like idiots,” according to Ian Blackford of the Scottish National Party.
If Johnson had not resigned, a 90-day suspension would have been recommended, signaling a significant rebuke that could have led to his recall. He will now have to win a new parliamentary seat to become prime minister again. This birthday marked a significant turning point for Johnson, who turned 59. It is possible that Johnson’s resignation and acceptance of the privileges committee report will result in the loss of his parliamentary pass, limiting his freedom at Westminster.
However, this may not be the end for Johnson. He has secured a new position as a weekly columnist for the conservative tabloid Daily Mail, harkening back to his career as a journalist. He will have the opportunity to write his thoughts on the world, including politics if necessary. Additionally, other Conservative politicians, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Prime Minister David Cameron, are also facing pressure and scrutiny. The Conservative Party is trailing behind the Labour Party in the polls, but they do not need to hold an election until January 2025.
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