# 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:** 67
**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:** [June 6, 2022, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1322 "2022-06-06T07:27:47Z")
> **[More than half of Britons ‘think Tories wrong to back Boris’](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-news-resign-housing-right-to-buy-b2097994.html)** > > One in four 2019 Conservative voters says he should have stepped down ---
**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:** [June 6, 2022, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1323 "2022-06-06T09:31:51Z")
> [@filmstar-en](#): > > Johnson could survive this and would be safe for another year. Under their rules, there can’t be another challenge within twelve months if he wins (180+) but if he doesn’t win the Yes/No confidence vote convincingly (say, nearer 300 than 200) he looks weakened, even holed below the waterline. There are two by-elections later this month, which will by a neat symmetry test the Tories’ support in both a northern industrial seat they won from Labour in 2019, and a rural south-western seat that is historically overwhelmingly Tory but may be vulnerable to protest votes for the LibDems as has happened in other by-elections. If they lose those, but are stuck with him for another year, it will be… interesting. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2022, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1324 "2022-06-06T10:28:50Z")
Even if he wins by one vote this man will try to cling on. I’m doudtful (but hopeful) it’ll be that close though - he will probably win by 100. But today is a long day and lots of things can happen to try to swing votes. For instance, Jesse Penrose, the government’s Anti-Corruption Tsar, has just resigned saying it’s “clear he [the PM] has broken” the ministerial code. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2022, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1325 "2022-06-06T10:52:39Z")
Haven’t got data to hand but the polls I’ve seen from Wakefield are not looking good - even the solid Conservative base are wavering, and by far the main reason cited is Boris. Which rather puts his claims of “You can’t win without me” in a different light. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2022, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1326 "2022-06-06T12:51:37Z")
More from CNN: > **[June 6, 2022 Boris Johnson confidence vote](https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/boris-johnson-no-confidence-vote-06-06-2022/index.html)** > > Boris Johnson will survive in his role as Britain's Prime Minister, but his authority has imploded after narrowly fighting off a confidence vote. Follow live news updates here. And one conservative’s case against the 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:** [June 6, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1327 "2022-06-06T13:00:26Z")
I can’t disagree with any of Norman’s points, although the usual “What took you so long?” reproach applies. Boris has been like this his entire career; the sudden shock at discovering that ~~there is gambling going on here~~ Boris is incompetent, corrupt, self-centred and leaves a trail of destruction in his wake is a little hard to take seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1328 "2022-06-06T15:31:07Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > It’s historical and Mark Francois had a historical allegation against him which was apparently reopened recently. From the name on twitter at the time, it wasn’t him, for a change. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1329 "2022-06-06T20:06:15Z")
Vote just in … 59% for Johnson 41% against. Bastard. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1330 "2022-06-06T20:35:50Z")
211 to 148 - May got a better result barely 6 months before having to quit. Kind of astounding that it looks like the Tories haven’t really got anyone else to coalesce around strongly right now. ---
**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:** [June 6, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1331 "2022-06-06T21:09:43Z")
It’s worse for Johnson than anyone thought. He will continue to cling on though. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2022, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1332 "2022-06-07T06:36:33Z")
I’ve seen a remark that if the “payroll vote” (i.e., ministers and aides) voted for him, that must mean something like 75% of the back-benchers didn’t - which is hardly a vote of confidence. But they stumble on till the by-elections at least. That Friday morning and the weekend should be something to watch. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1333 "2022-06-07T14:57:27Z")
How big is the payroll vote? ---
**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:** [June 7, 2022, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1334 "2022-06-07T16:29:23Z")
About 160-170, I believe > **[Payroll vote | Institute for Government](https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/explainer/payroll-vote)** > > The term 'payroll vote' has traditionally been used to describe MPs who hold positions from which they would have to resign in order to oppose the gov ---
**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:** [June 7, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1335 "2022-06-07T17:25:32Z")
CNN says as many as 180. Here’s their overview: > **[What's next for Boris Johnson? Here's what you need to know | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/07/uk/boris-johnson-confidence-vote-what-next-uk-gbr-intl/index.html)** > > British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has survived a vote of confidence triggered by discontented lawmakers in his own Conservative Party, but his troubles are far from over. ---
**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:** [June 24, 2022, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1336 "2022-06-24T05:50:08Z")
But the voters have spoken in two by-elections, one in traditionally Tory rural southwest England, and one in the post-industrial North that they won last time. Catastrophe for them in both, with substantial anti-Tory tactical voting, plus signs of a real shift of previously Tory voters. > **[Tories lose two key byelections on same night in Wakefield and Tiverton and...](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/24/tories-lose-byelections-wakefield-tiverton-honiton-labour-lib-dems)** > > Labour takes Wakefield and Lib Dems snatch Tiverton and Honiton, piling pressure on Boris 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:** [June 24, 2022, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1337 "2022-06-24T11:03:27Z")
And those are very much referenda on Boris - despite whatever gloating Labour and the LibDems might do, their actual support in both areas is not particularly strong. But apart from the openly tactical voting, there are indeed plenty of traditional Conservatives who have had enough of Johnson and plenty of reasons why, who voted for another party or not at all because of it. ---
**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:** [June 24, 2022, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1338 "2022-06-24T13:25:02Z")
Labour need to press home the advantage by actually creating and communicating a clear philosophy of who they are and what they stand for, rather than just trying to hold a vague position on everything that tries to satisfy every member of the party. In other words they need a strong leader who will pull the party along with them. The Lib Dems just need to get a grip generally. ---
**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:** [June 24, 2022, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1339 "2022-06-24T14:49:18Z")
> [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > Labour need to press home the advantage by actually creating and communicating a clear philosophy of who they are and what they stand for, rather than just trying to hold a vague position on everything that tries to satisfy every member of the party. Well that would make a nice fucking change. > [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](#): > > The Lib Dems just need to get a grip generally. See above. ---
**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:** [June 27, 2022, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1340 "2022-06-27T11:18:49Z")
And now he’s away with the fairies: > **[Boris Johnson 'actively thinking about' third term as PM](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-61939938)** > > The PM says he will lead his party into the next election and beyond, despite criticism of his leadership. ---
**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:** [July 1, 2022, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-boris-johnson-tries-to-lead-the-uk-but-has-resigned-on-july-7-2022/837872/1341 "2022-07-01T08:26:32Z")
The gift that keeps on giving. On the heels of news that he tried to persuade a party donor to [stump up £150,000 for a tree-house (a _tree-house_) at his official country house](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-treehouse-son-chequers-b2109951.html) (i.e., only his to use while PM), comes the [resignation of a deputy chief whip for groping two staffers while falling-down drunk](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/30/tory-deputy-chief-whip-resigns-after-embarrassing-myself-and-others) (a man appointed by Johnson even after a similar incident). [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=66) [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=68)