# 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:** 56
**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 25, 2022, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1102 "2022-01-25T15:04:20Z")
Never!!! ---
**Author:** ![Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiendish_astronaut/32/3295_2.png) [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2022, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1103 "2022-01-25T15:33:08Z")
I don’t think it’s good news for the government. This drags out a process that I’m sure the government would like to put to bed. Instead this now stays relevant for weeks if not months and inflates it further in the eyes of the public. It will delay a lot of MPs putting letters into the 1922 committee but you have to feel a line has been/will be crossed where a bunch of MPs will get together and say “enough is enough, this is too damaging”. I believe that is only a matter of time but I admit the wish might be the father of the thought. The PM’s spokesperson said that Johnson did not believe he broken any laws. Which is interesting - it’s not the same as saying that no laws were broken. I’m willing to bet that a few staffers will get any police fines and then will be forced to resign. He likes to throw his staff under the bus to protect himself, so can’t see this being the exception. ---
**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 25, 2022, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1104 "2022-01-25T15:44:50Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > The Met investigation allows them to put the Sue Gray investigation indefinitely on hold. It’s not being put on hold. > **[Covid news: Omicron subvariant spreads as UK cases surge - as it happened](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/covid-china-omicron-variant-news-b2035366.html)** > > Coronavirus cases are steadily increasing after lifting of restrictions last month > The Cabinet Office investigation led by Sue Gray into lockdown-breaking parties at No 10 may be released sooner than thought after the Metropolitan Police reportedly signalled it did not object to the document’s publication. > > Cressida Dick, the Met police commissioner, announced on Tuesday morning that her officers had launched an investigation into the “partygate” scandal. The development led to speculation that Ms Gray’s report would be delayed while police carried out their own probe. > > But now reports suggest the Cabinet Office inquiry may yet be released in the coming days. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1105 "2022-01-27T14:12:40Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > Cressida Dick Is Douglas Adams writing this story now? ---
**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 27, 2022, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1106 "2022-01-27T14:36:18Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > Is Douglas Adams writing this story now?   Don’t panic. Only six people in the Galaxy know that the job of the Prime Minister is not to wield power but to attract attention away from it. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1107 "2022-01-27T14:41:10Z")
Perhaps it might be in the best interest of, at least, the party for Mr. Johnson to step aside and allow Mr. Beeblebrox an 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 27, 2022, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1108 "2022-01-27T19:23:46Z")
Two heads would _definitely_ be better than one, in this case. ---
**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 29, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1109 "2022-01-29T21:04:56Z")
Looks like Boris’s past affairs might be catching up with him from when he was Mayor of London. > **[Fresh revelations about Jennifer Arcuri affair threaten to damage Boris Johnson](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jan/29/fresh-revelations-about-jennifer-arcuri-affair-threaten-to-damage-boris-johnson)** > > Hundreds of pages of notes and documents have been handed to City Hall’s oversight committee ---
**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 30, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1110 "2022-01-30T16:19:44Z")
drip… 💧    drip… 💧       drip… 💧 > **[MI5 ‘must investigate’ Boris Johnson as ‘security risk’ after Partygate leaks](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mi5-boris-johnson-security-partygate-b2003666.html)** > > Call comes after allegation that prime minister left top-secret documents lying around when visitors came to his flat > The call comes amid an allegation that Mr Johnson left top-secret documents lying around when visitors came to his Downing Street flat – prompting his aides to ban him from taking the files upstairs. > Documents are taken home in red boxes by ministers to read overnight, including some at the highly classified “strap” level. > > _The Sunday Times_ reported that Mr Cummings found Carrie Johnson and her friends relaxing while the prime minister’s red box sat open and “strap” documents were left lying around. > > It also claimed that Ms Gray uncovered evidence that “several” of Ms Johnson’s friends were given the access code to go in and out of the Downing Street flat. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1111 "2022-01-30T16:28:26Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > drip… 💧 > > drip… 💧 > > drip… 💧 Now then. That’s no way to refer to Our Beloved PM. ---
**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 30, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1112 "2022-01-30T22:30:45Z")
In order for anything to “damage” Boris Johnson, there must be a mechanism of accountability. His Party is largely willing to cover for him. The Met are largely willing to cover for him. The right-wing media are still heavily pro-Boris. And the next election is a long way off. So who’s going to make him leave? ---
**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 31, 2022, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1113 "2022-01-31T05:50:57Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > . His Party is largely willing to cover for him. The Met are largely willing to cover for him. The right-wing media are still heavily pro-Boris. Have you actually looked at the right-wing media? They are strongly anti-Boris. So is the Tory party. ---
**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 31, 2022, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1114 "2022-01-31T08:03:39Z")
Whatever you think of Cummings, this is an entertaining read. > **[The Man Trying to Take Down Boris Johnson](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/01/dominic-cummings-the-man-trying-to-take-down-boris-johnson.html?utm_source=tw)** > > It’s “an unpleasant but necessary job,” says Dominic Cummings. “It’s like sort of fixing the drains.” > “In January 2020,” Cummings says, “I was sitting in No. 10 with Boris and the complete fuckwit is just babbling on about: ‘Will Big Ben bong for Brexit on the 31st of January?’ He goes on and on about this day after day. Eventually I say to him: ‘Who cares? What are you talking about? Why are you babbling on about Big Ben? It’s completely ludicrous. ---
**Author:** ![cytop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f17d59/32.png) [@cytop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cytop)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1115 "2022-01-31T14:45:25Z")
… and the long awaited report is out. Preliminary only and I’ve not read it so no comment. > **[Investigation\_into\_alleged\_gatherings\_on\_government\_premises\_during\_Covid\_restrictions\_-\_Update.pdf](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1051374/Investigation_into_alleged_gatherings_on_government_premises_during_Covid_restrictions_-_Update.pdf)** > > 107.08 KB But … says in her document that “it is not possible at present” for her to “provide a meaningful report” because of the Met investigation. Very handy that the MET decided to investigate. ---
**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 31, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1116 "2022-01-31T15:21:15Z")
> [@cytop](#): > > Very handy that the MET decided to investigate. I expect that Cressida Dick will be elevated to the peerage as Baroness Dick of Bilgewater in due course. ---
**Author:** ![cytop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f17d59/32.png) [@cytop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cytop)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1117 "2022-01-31T15:44:31Z")
Shouldn’t have too long to wait and find out - her 5 year term is up in April, unless the Home Secretary decides to extend. I guess that’s a win-win for her then but this detracts from the speculation about the ultimate fate of ̶B̶l̶o̶w̶J̶o̶b̶, sorry BoJo, so back on topic … PS: the ‘report’ runs to 12 pages of SFA. ---
**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 31, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1118 "2022-01-31T16:34:48Z")
It contains no detail from the 70 or so witnesses in order not to prejudice the Metropolitan police inquiry. Boris has said sorry and he will fix the problem. So now the long wait for an criminal inquiry by the Metropolitan police to decide whether there have been any laws broken. I wonder if we will get so see any of the statements made by witnesses, the emails and whatsapp chats? Presumably Boris will sack a few civil servants and hoe that everyone will forget about it. The conclusions are summarised here: ## What are her criticisms? - "Against the backdrop of the pandemic, when the government was asking citizens to accept far-reaching restrictions on their lives, some of the **behaviour surrounding these gatherings is difficult to justify"** - “At least some of the gatherings in question represent a **serious failure to observe** not just the high standards expected of those working at the heart of government but also of the **standards expected of the entire British population** at the time” - “At times it seems there was **too little thought given to what was happening across the country** in considering the appropriateness of some of these gatherings, the risks they presented to public health and how they might appear to the public” - “There were **failures of leadership and judgement** by different parts of No 10 and the Cabinet Office at different times. Some of the events should not have been allowed to take place. Other events should not have been allowed to develop as they did” ## What does she say about drinking? - “The **excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate** in a professional workplace at any time” - Every government department should have a **"clear and robust policy** in place covering the consumption of alcohol" ## What else does she recommend? - Official access to the Downing Street garden **should be "by invitation only** and in a controlled environment" - There should be **"easier ways for staff to raise… concerns** informally, outside of the line-management chain" > **[Sue Gray party report: What are the findings?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60201752)** > > Initial findings from the senior official's inquiry into No 10 lockdown parties have been published. Boris Johnson said he accepted the report’s findings in full, in a statement to MPs. “I am sorry for the things we simply didn’t get right and also sorry for the way this matter has been handled,” he said, as he promised a shake-up of the way Downing Street is run. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1119 "2022-01-31T17:16:52Z")
> [@cytop](#): > > But … says in her document that “it is not possible at present” for her to “provide a meaningful report” because of the Met investigation. That is civil-servant-speak for “I know where the bodies are buried”, and makes it clear that if the Met don’t in the end take any action, there is still a meaningful report to be provided. If anyone asks. The question is, what happens if there is _some_ action by the Met - token fines for the chosen whipping boys, perhaps. Which unfortunate Tory donor will be asked to stump up, and would a fine or two be accepted as sufficient resolution? As for Cummings, how come the two-brained Mekon didn’t spot BJ as a wrong 'un when plenty of us simpletons could see it even before he became Mayor of London? How come he thought the “wizard wheeze” style of politics was OK for the Brexit campaign but not for No. 10? ---
**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 31, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1120 "2022-01-31T17:40:54Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > That is civil-servant-speak for “I know where the bodies are buried”, and makes it clear that if the Met don’t in the end take any action, there is still a meaningful report to be provided. If anyone asks. Not to mention this: > [@](#): > > I have also been asked to retain all the other information collected in the course of this work, which I have confirmed that I will do. I will therefore ensure the secure storage and safekeeping of all the information gathered until such time as it may be required further. I will not be circulating the information internally within government, it has been provided in confidence to the Cabinet Office investigation team and it is important that this confidence is maintained to protect the integrity of the process. “I’ve got all the receipts. Do **not** fuck with me.” ---
**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 31, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1121 "2022-01-31T17:53:09Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > As for Cummings, how come the two-brained Mekon didn’t spot BJ as a wrong 'un when plenty of us simpletons could see it even before he became Mayor of London? How come he thought the “wizard wheeze” style of politics was OK for the Brexit campaign but not for No. 10? My impression is that he was fully aware of Johnson’s limitations from the start. Johnson was supposed to be the idiot front guy, cheerfully talking bullshit to the public, and basking in the prestige of office. Behind the scenes, Cummings would be pulling all the strings. Unfortunately for Cummings, it turned out that he didn’t have Johnson all to himself, as he did during the Brexit campaign and the campaign for PM. Other people wanted to push the shopping cart in other directions, and Johnson even had some dimwitted ideas of his own. Most importantly, Carrie had more effective ways of manipulating him than Cummings did. [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=55) [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=57)