Why Has the UK’s Boris Johnson Stepped Down?

After a historic party revolt over a series of ethics scandals and the wave of resignations from his own party, UK prime minister Boris Johnson has finally resigned after taking his country to a complete constitutional crisis.

He announced on Thursday, July 7, 2022, his resignation as chief executive of the Conservative Party, after three turbulent years during which Britain left the European Union and suffered from the Coronavirus pandemic and several scandals.

This decision, which paves the way for the appointment of a new prime minister, came after successive resignations of members of the British government since Tuesday evening.

Johnson suffers mainly from the repercussions of the scandal of the parties that were held at the government's headquarters during the complete closure stage during the pandemic.

 

Boris Resigns

UK prime minister Boris Johnson finally resigned after a series of scandals.

Before he fell on his sword, more than 50 members of his government quit in just 48 hours, a mass departure "that made history books and boosted UK currency and stock price in the process," according to Fortune.

Among those who left were several of his most senior cabinet secretaries, two of whom had only been in the job for a day, according to the same source.

Johnson said in a TV address on Thursday: "I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them's the breaks,"

"Our brilliant and Darwinian system will produce another leader equally committed to taking this country forward through tough times."

Johnson's expressions of impending collapse could be seen for weeks before his premiership collapsed.

"In the last few days, I've tried to persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we're delivering so much... and when the economic scene is so difficult domestically and internationally," Johnson said.

"I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, and of course, it's painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself," he added.

The ex-PM also said he's proud of "getting Brexit done" and "leading the West in standing up to Putin's aggression in Ukraine."

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called for "calm and unity" on Thursday after the British Prime Minister resigned.

"The PM has made the right decision," she said.

"We need calmness and unity now and to keep governing while a new leader is found."

 

Reasons Behind the PM's Downfall

Johnson led the Conservatives three years ago to their most significant election victory since 1987.

Now, the former PM has lost the support and confidence of his MPs and decided to resign.

Among the reasons behind his decision was a chain of scandals that ended with the prime minister's downfall, like the Chris Pincher affair.

MP Pincher was the Conservative deputy chief whip. He went to a private members' club in London, "drank far too much" and "embarrassed himself."

The man was accused of flirting with two men, leading to a flurry of allegations, some dating back years.

Downing Street said Johnson was unaware of "specific allegations" about Mr. Pincher before appointing him as deputy chief whip in February.

However, Boris Johnson admitted he had been told in 2019 about Mr. Pincher and apologized for appointing him.

Three months ago, Johnson was fined for breaking lockdown rules as he attended his birthday party in June 2020.

During the first lockdown, he also apologized for attending a "bring your own booze" party in the Downing Street garden.

Last December, Mr. Johnson told the Commons that "all guidance was followed completely in No 10."

According to the BBC, Johnson is now being investigated as he seemed to be knowingly misleading the government.

The cost of living crisis and the tax rise had an essential role in the British saying they had lost confidence in the Prime Minister, as the inflation has risen sharply to 9.1% this year.

Boris Johnson won "his thumping majority" based on a clear, easy-to-follow policy.

However, his critics said there was a lack of focus and ideas in Downing Street, in addition to the lack of "integrity, competence, and vision," according to the BBC.

Johnson was repeatedly accused of being "an out-of-control shopping trolley, veering from position to position."

 

Time to Go

Many people and ministers seem to agree on one point: It was time for Boris Johnson to leave.

For nearly three years, Johnson was under massive pressure from his MPs. He resigned as Conservative leader but will stay as prime minister until the replacement.

On Wales' streets, many reacted with joy and seemed satisfied, including those saying he should have gone long ago. They even described the last few months he was in power as a "car crash."

"I've just bought two fresh cream cakes, which I'll have with a glass of bubbly this evening to celebrate," said Margaret in Bridgend.

"Sleaze, corruption, inadequate and self-serving. He's a lying toe rag."

However, some people were not that "evil," like Carmarthen's Keith Evans, who said he liked him at first.

"He got Brexit done, and Covid must have been hard. But the Pincher allegation…that was the icing on the cake; he had to go."

Boris Johnson took power in July 2019. In December of the same year, his party had an excellent general election performance in Wales, doubling its total MPs from 7 to 14.