# Who wants to be Prime Minister? Resignations in Tory cabinet and Boris Johnson has resigned **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 5, 2022, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464 "2022-07-05T17:39:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/141 "2022-07-07T17:17:26Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > The U.K. has donated [lots of military equipment to Ukraine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_foreign_aid_to_Ukraine_during_the_Russo-Ukrainian_War#Provided_by_sovereign_countries) and Ukrainian forces are currently being trained in the U.K. I’m incredibly confused by this wiki, it appears that the UK is SELLING training, and SELLING minehunters (and often it will be defense suppliers, BAE systems), selling arms is pretty much the only big industry in the UK anymore (UAE, Saudi being typical customers). And yet, even the first three items in that wiki refers to sales, and labels them as “donations”). I’m not going to go into every one of those, perhaps there are donations in there, but I suspect it really isn’t as clear cut as that, but clicking through to articles there’s talk of “supplying”. > [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > I don’t think Johnson can be criticized as lacking in support for Ukraine. Well, apart from being elected on russian money, as an anti-EU government, and yet here, is supporting a pro-EU government, either hypocritical or making money or perhaps actually helping them (hard to say with this level of politics I don’t understand). There is definitely a narrative of Johnson supporting Ukraine. But even the briefest of rubs on the surface flakes some paint away, and tells me that someone is being very kind with that wiki, and perhaps you’ve been reading the wrong newspapers. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/142 "2022-07-07T17:24:02Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Front Page of the Daily Mail Wednesday April 11th [Don’t they know there’s a war on?](https://twitter.com/TmorrowsPapers/status/1513989472848863234) that’s from months ago and it doesn’t say the the UK is at war. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/143 "2022-07-07T17:25:53Z")
Glorious. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/144 "2022-07-07T17:26:24Z")
A couple of charts: [![](https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/27278.jpeg) ](https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/27278.jpeg) > **[Infographic: Where Military Aid to Ukraine Comes From](https://www.statista.com/chart/27278/military-aid-to-ukraine-by-country/)** > > This chart shows the countries pledging most arms/weapons transfers to Ukraine, Jan 24 to Oct 3, 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars). [![](https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/27331.jpeg) ](https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/27331.jpeg) > **[Infographic: The Countries Pulling Their Weight in Ukraine Aid](https://www.statista.com/chart/27331/countries-committing-the-most-of-their-gdp-to-ukraine-aid/)** > > This chart shows the countries with the most government support to Ukraine as a share of their own GDP as of October 3, 2022. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/145 "2022-07-07T17:27:40Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Has he actually done anything for Ukraine apart from turn up and guff about how he will support them (while being fully paid off by the Russians)? Say what you like about him but he was quick to offer support both verbally and militarily and the UK is second only to USA I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/146 "2022-07-07T17:30:03Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > that’s from months ago and it doesn’t say the the UK is at war. You are really pushing it to say “there’s a war on” doesn’t mean “we are at war”. And the war starting “months ago”. The narrative was reused many times during the partygate times to say “he won’t leave now, because of the war”. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/147 "2022-07-07T17:33:45Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Say what you like about him but he was quick to offer support both verbally and militarily and the UK is second only to USA I believe. Ah, **PLEDGES** , I see. They use these words in those articles too. I repeat this again. A Johnson promise is simply a lie unproven. During this war which is on but we’re not in, eh? ---
**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:** [July 7, 2022, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/148 "2022-07-07T17:35:34Z")
Apparently he has done some kind of deal where he remains caretaker Prime Minister until the party conference in October while resigning as party leader. This would undermine any successor who should use this conference to establish their authority and set out their vision. The last thing that they would want is Boris Johnson stealing their thunder. I Johnson thinks he has a personal mandate from the UK electorate because he won an election. That is not how it works. But then the Brexit vote had only an advisory status but then was transformed and politicised into an expression of the ‘democratic will of the people’ causing no end trouble. Johnson remaining in office will give him to scope to make all kinds of mischief. I guess it would be down to the 1922 committee meeting on Monday to deal with any changes required by the party to evict Johnson from 10 Downing St, though he has head several meetings with the head of that committee. It is unclear what exactly is going on, it is becoming a circus. I expect there is big debate within the party on how to give Boris Johnson the bums rush. There are plenty of candidates that could look after the shop while they elect a new leader. Not least former PM, Theresa May. The next few days are going to be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/149 "2022-07-07T17:38:41Z")
Promises from Boris Johnson: - Brexit will be beneficial - Brexit will not lose our rights to work and live and retire in the EU - There will be no Irish sea border - I’ll build that bridge over the Thames - I promise to be your honest, faithful, and loving husband for the rest of my days (x2 broken) There are many many many many more. ---
**Author:** ![keeganst94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a6a055/32.png) [@keeganst94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keeganst94)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/150 "2022-07-07T17:41:57Z")
I suppose that makes sense in a roundabout politician sort of way. It just seems a bit odd for the party to say “This man isn’t fit to be our leader!”, while the MP’s of that party say “This man is fit to lead our country!”, even if only temporarily. From a practical perspective, does this happen very often, and do we know what sort of control Johnson will have? Will things carry on more or less as normal, or will he have more limited power? ---
**Author:** ![Lantern2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lantern2/32/3010_2.png) [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/151 "2022-07-07T17:50:48Z")
One of the things I have learnt about the British “constitution” is that the hugely important question of when the sovereign can ignore a prime minister’s request to dissolve parliament is answered in the [Lascelles Principles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascelles_Principles) which is named after a pseudonymous 1950 letter to the Times by the courtier Tommy Lascelles. What a system !! Lascelles of course is a great curmudgeonly character on the Netflix show The Crown. I wonder what he would have thought of Boris. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/152 "2022-07-07T17:57:23Z")
He would have been appalled (especially for lying to HM and dragging her into grubby political matters). Definitely NOK. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/153 "2022-07-07T17:58:21Z")
> [@keeganst94](#): > > I suppose that makes sense in a roundabout politician sort of way. It just seems a bit odd for the party to say “This man isn’t fit to be our leader!”, while the MP’s of that party say “This man is fit to lead our country!”, even if only temporarily. > > From a practical perspective, does this happen very often, and do we know what sort of control Johnson will have? Will things carry on more or less as normal, or will he have more limited power? One example from Canada: when William Lyon Mackenzie King decided to retire, he did so in two stages. First, the Liberal party had a leadership convention, which Louis St-Laurent won (in large part because of King’s behind-the-scenes manuevering). King then resigned as Liberal leader effective August 7, 1948. However, there were “just a few things to tidy up” before he left, so he stayed on as PM until November 15, 1948. The Liberals had a minority government, but the lengthy transfer of power internally in the party did not affect their ability to control the Commons. However, the dynamics in that case were quite different. King was firmly in control of the Liberal Party right up to the end; he was just worn out and finally ready to relinquish control and retire to his country estate. The Liberals were united behind him and St Laurent, and didn’t have any problem with him taking a long goodbye, after he’d kept them in power for 21 years(!). > **[William Lyon Mackenzie King](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lyon_Mackenzie_King)** > > William Lyon Mackenzie King OM CMG PC (December 17, 1874 – July 22, 1950) was a Canadian statesman and politician who was the tenth prime minister of Canada for three non-consecutive terms from 1921 to 1926, 1926 to 1930, and 1935 to 1948. A Liberal, he was the dominant politician in Canada from the early 1920s to the late 1940s.\[a\] King is best known for his leadership of Canada throughout the Great Depression and the Second World War. He played a major role in laying the foundations of the C... I think the party will say that a caretaker PM is better, and try to get him out of No 10 as quickly as possible. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2022, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/154 "2022-07-07T17:58:21Z")
There have been over 50 resignations and lots of posts to fill. That has never happened before. Usually a PM leaves with a largely Intact administration. Johnson remaining responsible for appointments during a leadership election when the candidates are competing for support. That would be quite a bizarre situation. Usually Prime Ministers go quickly and quietly, with as much grace and dignity as they can muster. That is not likely with a character like Johnson. I expect he is plotting his return to power. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/155 "2022-07-07T18:03:00Z")
That’s a good point. A caretaker could fill those posts quickly, balanced among the different groups in the party, so that no-one has an immediate advantage. Who would agree to be appointed by Boris? ---
**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:** [July 7, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/156 "2022-07-07T18:11:07Z")
Could British citizenship be expedited for Anthony Scaramucci? ---
**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 7, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/157 "2022-07-07T18:18:17Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > there should be no leadership vacuum at 10 Downing Street as to the British nuclear deterrent. The formally designated Deputy and therefore standby caretaker is Dominic Raab. As to whether [that might still leave a leadership vacuum…](https://www.itv.com/news/2021-08-21/afghanistan-raab-reportedly-stayed-on-holiday-because-pm-told-him-he-could) well, you might think so, I couldn’t possibly comment. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2022, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/158 "2022-07-07T18:27:28Z")
Hmm. Hadn’t heard about that. Not good. At this point, regardless of any deal struck, I wouldn’t be surprised by either an irresistible public demand, and/or further revolt by Tory backbenchers, at the prospect of Boris remaining PM in _any_ capacity for another four freakin’ months. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/159 "2022-07-07T18:30:42Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Other possible contenders include: > > - Former Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove Complete sidebar: what is a “Leveling Up Secretary?” Does he help your World of Warcraft character advance through the ranks? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2022, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464/160 "2022-07-07T18:32:58Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > what is a “Leveling Up Secretary?” Does he help your World of Warcraft character advance through the ranks? I had a very similar thought, while watching BBC News last night, only it was for Dungeons & Dragons characters. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-wants-to-be-prime-minister-resignations-in-tory-cabinet-and-boris-johnson-has-resigned/967464.md?page=9)