British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a political apocalypse after 16 ministers have resigned from his cabinet over the last two days.
The Conservative Private Members’ Committee, referred to as 1922 Committee, intends to hold elections to replace the executive team — of which Johnson is the leader — before Parliament’s summer recess, according to the BBC. Bob Blackman, member of the committee, hopes to force Johnson’s resignation through this maneuver, he told BBC.
Recent indications of a lack of confidence in Johnson include resignations from two senior cabinet members. Senior Health Secretary Sajid Javid and chancellor Rishi Sunak handed their letters of resignation to the Prime Minister on Tuesday, barely hiding their disappointment in him.
Sunak criticized their “fundamentally too different” approaches to policy, while Javid openly addressed his loss of faith in the leadership. “You have therefore lost my confidence too,” Javid’s letter reads. (RELATED: ‘Most Somberly’ — House Freedom Caucus Calls For Resignations Of Biden, Austin And Milley)
The Minister for Children and Families, Will Quince, resigned Wednesday, days after he defended the Prime Minister publicly, the New York Times reported. Downing Street allegedly released false statements and had government officials, such as Quince, repeat them to the public, the NYT continued.
Quince tweeted that he can no longer occupy his position in good faith after receiving “inaccurate information” that he erroneously conveyed to the media.
With great sadness and regret, I have this morning tendered my resignation to the Prime Minister after I accepted and repeated assurances on Monday to the media which have now been found to be inaccurate.
I wish my successor well – it is the best job in government. pic.twitter.com/65EOmHd47p
— Will Quince MP 🇬🇧 (@willquince) July 6, 2022
Many members of Johnson’s conservative party have spoken about their lack of trust in the Prime Minister after his appointment of Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip earlier this year, the BBC reported. The loss of faith comes after multiple allegations of misconduct against Pincher surfaced, allegations to which Johnson was allegedly privy. The prime minister apologized for the appointment, admitting that it was a “bad mistake,” according to the BBC. Report Alleges Boris Johnson’s Staff Held Drunken Parties, Violated Pandemic Restrictions
Ashfield Tory MP Lee Anderson withdraws his support for the PM in a statement on Facebook pic.twitter.com/eDWsvASYJm
— Peter Stefanovic (@PeterStefanovi2) July 6, 2022
Nadhim Zahawi has assumed the office of chancellor, becoming the fourth person in three years to hold this position, according to the BBC.
Junior minister Robin Walker, Justice Minister Victoria Atkins, Treasury minister John Glen, Solicitor General Alex Chalk, vice-chair of the Tory party Bim Afolami, two trade envoys, and seven ministerial aides have all resigned since Tuesday, the BBC noted.
“I can no longer, in good conscience, live with this Prime Minister. Either he goes, or I do” pic.twitter.com/6kYdvZshho
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) July 5, 2022
This wave of resignation comes less than a month after Johnson faced a confidence vote that his own party members triggered. The vote occurred after doubts about Johnson’s leadership connected to the “Partygate” scandal surfaced.
