# Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries to lead the UK but has resigned on July 7, 2022 **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 30, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872 "2019-07-30T14:24:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 50
**Author:** ![paulmarkj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@paulmarkj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulmarkj)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/982 "2021-12-27T19:37:33Z")
> His deliberately messed up hair (and witnesses say he does do that before he goes out) has been combed a bit recently for a change. A journalist who followed him for a while (before he was PM) said he messed his hair up when on TV but not when on Radio. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/983 "2022-01-03T19:58:40Z")
I don’t see what he _didn’t_ do there. ---
**Author:** ![filmstar-en](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/984 "2022-01-06T22:34:14Z")
At last! Boris has said something that I can agree with. > **[Covid: Anti-vaccine campaigns are mumbo jumbo, says PM](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59898498)** > > Boris Johnson says it is time for him to call out those spreading false information on Covid jabs. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/985 "2022-01-11T11:22:38Z")
Here’s some news: > **[UK's Johnson accused of breaking lockdown with garden party](https://apnews.com/article/europe-london-boris-johnson-3a521263aea5e679029647bd81192ab8)** > > British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a wave of public and political outrage over allegations that he and his staff flouted coronavirus lockdown rules by holding a garden party in 2020 while Britons were barred by law from meeting up with... > [@](#): > > Opposition politicians called for a police investigation after broadcaster ITV published a leaked email invitation to “socially distanced drinks” in the garden of the prime minister’s Downing Street office and residence in May 2020. The email from the prime minister’s private secretary, Martin Reynolds, was sent to dozens of people and urged attendees to “bring your own booze.” > > The event was scheduled for May 20, 2020 — the same day the government at a televised news conference reminded people they could only meet up with one person outside their household. London’s Metropolitan Police force published reminders about the rules on the same day. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/986 "2022-01-11T12:23:03Z")
Seems to be multiple parties during multiple lockdowns, during December 2020, and May 2020 too, weeks after Johnson was supposed to be infected with Covid (\*). Even the extreme right wing magazine, the [Spectator](https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-unfathomable-inadequacy-of-boris-johnson) which Johnson himself has edited, is coming out against him It appears that ITN is doing the job of real journalism in the UK. The BBC has been neutered with Tory donors as [Richard Sharp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Sharp_%28BBC_chairman%29) in charge, and the BBC political editor [Laura Kuenssberg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Kuenssberg) having turned down a job as advisor to Boris Johnson in the past. (\*) There has recently been some revelations that Johnson was actually admitted in April 2020 for illnesses related to alcohol and perhaps drugs. His recovery and treatment versus his health doesn’t match a serious Covid infection, and the nurses who treated them seem to have gone to ground and some refused to sign the official secrets act. It’s all very strange. Personally, I’d not believe the man if he told me the sun was going to rise, and had doubts at the time. I guess the truth of this might eventually make it out, even if it was all for show, and the infection real and mild. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/987 "2022-01-11T12:38:08Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Seems to be multiple parties during multiple lockdowns, during December 2020, and May 2020 too, weeks after Johnson was supposed to be infected with Covid (\*). A [BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-59948846) summary: > [@](#): > > Here’s [a timeline of those events](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59952395): > > **15 May:** A [photo from May 2020](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/dec/20/raab-says-pm-and-staffs-garden-gathering-was-within-lockdown-rules)showed Boris Johnson and his staff with bottles of wine and a cheeseboard in the Downing Street garden. When asked about it, the PM said, “those people were at work talking about work”. > > **20 May:** About 100 people were invited by email to “socially distanced drinks” in the Downing Street garden. Witnesses say Johnson and his wife were among about 30 people who attended. The PM has declined to say if he went. > > **13 November:** Sources told the BBC that Downing Street staff members attended a gathering with Carrie Johnson in the flat where she and the prime minister live. A spokesman for Mrs Johnson denies the party took place. > > **27 November:** A leaving event was held for No 10 aide, Cleo Watson, where people were drinking, and Mr Johnson made a speech, according to sources. > > **10 December:** The Department for Education has confirmed it had an office gathering to thank staff for their work during the pandemic. It says drinks and snacks were brought by those who attended and no outside guests or support staff were invited. > > **14 December:** The Conservative Party admitted that an “unauthorised gathering” took place at its HQ in Westminster. It was held by the team of the party’s London-mayoral candidate, Shaun Bailey, who [has since stepped down as chair of the London Assembly police and crime committee](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-59657361). The Metropolitan Police is to speak to two people who attended the party. > > **15 December:** Multiple sources have told the BBC there was a Christmas quiz for No 10 staff last year. A photo - published by the Sunday Mirror - shows Boris Johnson taking part and sitting between two colleagues in No 10. Mr Johnson has [denied any wrongdoing](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59638491). > > **16 December:** The Department for Transport [has apologised](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59690206)after confirming [reports of a party in its offices](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/grant-shapps-staff-boozed-danced-25718548), calling it “inappropriate” and an “error of judgment” by staff > > **18 December:** Downing Street originally denied a report by the the Daily Mirror that a party took place in Downing Street. However, a video obtained by ITV News showed the prime minister’s then-press secretary Allegra Stratton, joking about reports of an event, saying: “This fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced.” And yet Johnson still trots out the line about having to “investigate” whether a party took place AT HIS OWN RESIDENCE WHEN HE WAS THERE. ---
**Author:** ![filmstar-en](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/988 "2022-01-11T16:34:09Z")
He is losing a lot of credibility within his own party for this kind of mismanagement. But they won’t turn on him until it becomes clear that the public have also lost confidence. The next general election is still a long way of. This issue is not important enough that it brings people out onto the streets to protest. However, when people begin to see the increased taxes and bills to pay because of Covid screw up. Then scandals about which companies won all the big profitable contracts because of their connections with the Conservative party. That kind of corruption scandal couid be much more serious. If Johnson can’t handle this fairly minor hypocrisy scandal. It suggests he is ill prepared for something bigger. I am sure the many rival candidates have lots of mud ready to throw, when they think the time is right. I think most are holding off until the Covid emergency subsides. Prime Ministers hold things together by having a network of ‘advisors’, media manipulators and party, ‘whips’ to give early warning of opposition to their political program. Normally this sort of scandal would have been nipped in the bud quite early. It is a sign that he is not quite in control. There must be a lot of heads shaking in disbelief in the tea rooms of Westminster. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/989 "2022-01-11T16:48:35Z")
> [@filmstar-en](#): > > to give early warning of opposition to their political program Does Johnson have a political program beyond “stay in power”? Lack of focus may be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/990 "2022-01-11T16:56:50Z")
His ultimate objective is “be remembered like Churchill.” He is, um, falling short. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/991 "2022-01-11T18:06:19Z")
Johnson’s saving grace is that there’s nobody else in the Conservative Party that is any more appealing to the public. At the moment Sunak is probably the least reviled, but that’s a pretty low bar to clear in a party that includes Gove, Hancock and Rees-Mogg. ---
**Author:** ![filmstar-en](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/50afbb/32.png) [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/992 "2022-01-11T18:06:27Z")
He has some policies he could be remembered for. Brexit obviously is not something that matters or is much understood outside the Conservative party. I cannot see Brexit voters rejoicing about winning non-EU trade deals. And the many loose ends will make it clear he did not get Brexit done. His handling of the Covid pandemic will eventually come under scrutiny once it is under control, especially when the final bill becomes clear. There is the Environment Policy… siezing the centre ground. But there is looming energy crisis and alarm at the huge fuel price rises about to hit. The Social care policy, but that is quite barebones. There is an Immigration Bill about to go through. But copying Australia in being nasty to refugees and putting the Home Office in charge of deciding who is the ‘brightest and best’ and excluding all those lower class jobs that require cheap labour. That is not going to end well. Johnson really does not have any ideals or a vision for the country. He won votes because he offered a solution to the vexatious Brexit issue, which was largely a product of division within the Conservative party that they were unable to resolve. He is a single issue politician. That issue is now swept under the carpet. He has not shown any signs of inspired leadership in the face of a national Covid crisis. He did not take it seriously enough early on. And when the government became desperate for PPE and a Test and Trace system, they allowed all their dodgy friends to make off with billions of taxpayers money. He will join Cameron and May as lacklustre Conservative PMs who lacked judgement and failed when they were required to lead not just their fractious party, but the UK as a nation. There is a sad lack of statesmen or statewomen in UK politics at the moment. They are all party hacks. If Boris loses his job because of telling stupid lies,it will not come as a surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/993 "2022-01-11T19:46:36Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > (\*) There has recently been some revelations that Johnson was actually admitted in April 2020 for illnesses related to alcohol and perhaps drugs. His recovery and treatment versus his health doesn’t match a serious Covid infection, and the nurses who treated them seem to have gone to ground and some refused to sign the official secrets act. It’s all very strange. Personally, I’d not believe the man if he told me the sun was going to rise, and had doubts at the time. I guess the truth of this might eventually make it out, even if it was all for show, and the infection real and mild. Do you have a source or a rabbit hole I could go down in order to find out more about this? ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2022, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/994 "2022-01-11T22:31:29Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > Do you have a source or a rabbit hole I could go down in order to find out more about this? It’s been going around twitter for a few weeks. Recent additions have been about the nurses refusing to sign things. However, tracking who said what is difficult. Seems as if [full fact](https://fullfact.org/online/false-post-boris-johnson-hospital-official-secrets/) have got it and it’s based on a satire article. Sometimes you grow to hate someone so much, you wish it to be true. I still think the treatment and time doesn’t match any real covid infections of the time, but that’s about as much as I know. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/995 "2022-01-12T05:33:50Z")
The right-wing media in the UK have turned viciously on Johnson.   Top stories in the Spectator: - [How long until we tire of Boris?](https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/how-long-until-we-tire-of-boris-) - [Boris Johnson is running out of road](https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/boris-johnson-is-running-out-of-road) - [The unfathomable inadequacy of Boris Johnson](https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-unfathomable-inadequacy-of-boris-johnson) - [Seven times No. 10 denied breaking Covid rules](https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/five-times-no-10-denied-breaking-covid-rules)   Top stories in the Telegraph: - [Boris Johnson losing Tory support as storm grows over Downing Street garden party](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/01/11/boris-johnson-losing-tory-support-storm-grows-downing-street/) - [This time, Boris may not survive the fury at No 10’s flagrant rule-breaking](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/01/11/time-boris-may-not-survive-fury-no-10s-flagrant-rule-breaking/) - [‘Partygate’ could finish Boris Johnson – and boot the Tories out of No 10](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/01/11/partygate-could-finish-boris-johnson-boot-tories-no-10/)   Top stories in the Mail Online: - [Boris runs out of road](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10392169/Boris-set-FINALLY-address-partygate-anger-tomorrow-12-Tory-MPs-public-criticism.html) _'We’re f_\*_ed unless he apologises’: Tories’ stark warning to Boris as he prepares to make partygate statement TODAY after being given a ‘20% chance of survival’ by Dominic Cummings allies_ - [Boris Johnson’s litany of lies: the PM’s multiple public and private scandals from lockdown-busting parties and cash for the No10 flat to misleading the Queen, cocaine and multiple affairs](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10390811/From-lockdown-parties-No10-misleading-Queen-cocaine-confusion-Boriss-worst-scandals.html)   It looks like PMQs today is going to be crunch time for Johnson. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/996 "2022-01-12T09:37:39Z")
New allegations are coming out that staff members were told to “clean up” their phones to remove evidence that there had been a party. It’s anonymous sources so appropriate caveats apply, but it’s certainly consistent with what we _do_ know. > **[The 8 crucial questions Boris Johnson faces at PMQs over Downing Street party...](https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/downing-street-party-questions-boris-johnson-may-face-at-pmqs-as-no-10-accused-of-clean-up-1395926)** > > The Prime Minister faces a rocky 24 hours as the No 10 party row continues to cause unrest within Tory ranks ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/997 "2022-01-12T09:48:19Z")
Of course they were. This government has been caught deleting messages ahead of inquiries more than once, a culture that goes all the way back to Cumming’s wizard wheeze of using only his personal email for Department of Education work, but also includes Boris’s own messages wheedling cash for flat redecoration from donors. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/998 "2022-01-12T13:47:20Z")
BoJo is a sorry clown: > **[UK's Johnson apologizes for attending party during lockdown](https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-europe-london-2b9b4147b1ee8041b341dfce5ef92208)** > > LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized Wednesday for attending a garden party during Britain’s first coronavirus lockdown, but brushed aside demands that he resign for breaching the rules his own government had imposed on the nation. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/999 "2022-01-12T13:55:31Z")
Here’s another look at his scandals: > **[Lockdown party claims add to list of Boris Johnson scandals](https://apnews.com/article/business-health-europe-london-boris-johnson-e0c0511cb6b468d0f9600fa87dd05c2b)** > > LONDON (AP) — Allegations that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s staff held a “bring your own booze” garden party while Britain was in lockdown are just the latest claims of wrongdoing to rattle the leader. ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1000 "2022-01-12T14:00:04Z")
Prime Minister’s Questions was pretty brutal. Johnson was asked to resign at least a dozen times, called a liar several times, and a disgrace a few times. The look on his face and his body language showed he absolutely did not want to be there. The best question, in my opinion was the one that noted he had been fired from two other jobs for lying, and asked if he felt that the office of the Prime Minister should be held to a lower standard than those other two jobs. Still, I feel that Labour could have done better. Keir Starmer was expected to hammer Johnson and call on him to resign, which he did, so that was mission accomplished. Johnson was expected to hide behind the inquiry into the parties and if rules were broken, and that’s what Johnson did. But Labour didn’t take the occasion to ask him hard questions about the inquiry. They should have asked whether the i inquiry would address if Johnson had lied to Parliament, if Johnson planned to fully accept the results of the inquiry, and if Johnson would support the inquiry being turned over to the police as a basis for a criminal investigation. Instead, they just kept coming with the same comments about people not being able to see dying relatives, the same insults, and the same calls for resignation. They were more interested in bashing Johnson than holding him to account. Bit of a missed opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1001 "2022-01-12T14:32:34Z")
Heheheh. > **[Ryanair can't stop trolling Boris Johnson | CNN Business](https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/12/business/ryanair-trolling-boris-johnson/index.html)** > > Ryanair has restarted one of its most popular services: trolling Boris Johnson. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872.md?page=49) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872.md?page=51)