Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sent shockwaves through the political landscape by resigning as a member of parliament and declaring war on Rishi Sunak, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer. Johnson’s resignation has triggered a by-election in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, where he previously held a majority of 7,210 votes. Political analysts believe that defending this seat would have been challenging for Johnson in the upcoming general election next year.
The resignation came shortly after Johnson received an advance copy of a report from the Commons privileges committee, which found him guilty of deliberately misleading parliament over his statements regarding Covid-related gatherings. In British politics, intentionally misleading parliament is considered a resignation matter. Johnson maintained that while he provided incorrect information, he did not lie deliberately and had subsequently corrected the record.
In a strongly worded response spanning 1,000 words, Johnson criticized the privileges committee, chaired by Labour MP Harriet Harman, accusing it of being biased against him. He alleged that the committee’s objective was to drive him out of parliament, even without producing evidence to support their assertions. Johnson also suggested a broader conspiracy, claiming that his removal was part of a witch hunt seeking revenge for Brexit and to reverse the outcome of the 2016 referendum.
Furthermore, Johnson took aim at Rishi Sunak, asserting that the Conservative Party needed to regain momentum and reestablish its belief in the country’s potential. He emphasized the importance of showcasing the benefits of Brexit, implementing a pro-growth and pro-investment agenda, cutting taxes, and pursuing opportunities such as a Free Trade Deal with the United States. Johnson questioned the government’s abandonment of measures related to housing, EU directives, and animal welfare.
While Boris Johnson expressed sadness at leaving Parliament “at least for now,” his statement hinted at a potential return to politics in the future. The resignation honors list unveiled by Johnson included rewards for his loyalists, with former Home Secretary Priti Patel being made a Dame and Kulveer Singh Ranger, a former director of transport during Johnson’s tenure as London mayor, being granted a peerage.
The repercussions of Johnson’s resignation and his scathing critique of Rishi Sunak, along with the wider Conservative Party, are likely to reverberate throughout British politics. With Johnson’s departure, the Conservative Party faces the challenge of regaining momentum and rallying its supporters in the face of a widening majority gap. The upcoming by-election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip will undoubtedly be closely watched, as political dynamics continue to evolve in the aftermath of this dramatic development.
