Boris Johnson is having quite the day
Boris Johnson’s government has never looked more precarious than it does today, after 31 resignations and counting.
And it only seems to be gaining momentum, with a growing number of the prime minister’s former allies (including Michael Gove) calling on him to quit.
But it wasn’t all resignations and political posturing – there were many bizarre moments which seemed to be overlooked in the free-for-all, too.
1. A lightning-speed u-turn
Nadhim Zahawi – who was only appointed as the new chancellor last night – is allegedly among the delegation of cabinet ministers who are planning to tell Johnson to go, tonight.
Zahawi was covering the media rounds defending Johnson and his “integrity” only this morning.
He is reportedly going to be joined by Michelle Donelan, who was similarly appointed in her new cabinet role, education secretary, last night.
🚨Cabinet ministers Nadhim Zahawi, Grant Shapps, Brandon Lewis and Simon Hart will be waiting for PM in Downing Street to tell him to go, sources confirm.
— Pippa Crerar (@PippaCrerar) July 6, 2022
Nadhim Zahawi saying he has no confidence in the man who made him Chancellor 24 hours ago is the plot twist we deserve as a nation.
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) July 6, 20222. Larry the cat
Larry the cat, a Downing Street resident who has lasted longer than several prime ministers, needed to be soothed by a police officer among today’s chaos. Larry’s whereabouts often seem to become a talking point in times of political upheaval.
🥰 This video from @PA of a police officer stroking Larry is just everything… you can almost hear him say "it's ok, Larry, I know it's chaos… everything will be ok…" pic.twitter.com/7kQhkBWOD6
— Andrew Stuart (@AndrewStuart) July 6, 20223. ‘Bye, Boris!’
The Commons also became a bizarre scene this afternoon.
MPs started chanting, “Bye Boris,” when the prime minister left the House – astonishingly quickly – after a brutal PMQs and Sajid Javid’s detailed resignation speech.
It felt like echo of the song which was being played around parliament this morning, where the words of Bye Bye Baby had been replaced with Bye Bye Boris.
This is the moment the Commons Speaker is interrupted by a cheeky MP shouting 'bye Boris' as PMQs comes to an end. pic.twitter.com/c7O6QaA172
— LBC (@LBC) July 6, 20224. Johnson’s ‘terrific’ week
The liaison committee, where Johnson was questioned by other MPs about integrity in politics after PMQs, also came at a surreal time.
The prime minister was fielding questions about policy while his government was crumbling, with the number of resignations mounting with every passing moment – although Johnson seemed in denial.
Darren Jones: "Prime Minister, how's your week going?"
Boris Johnson: "Terrific!"
— Rachel Wearmouth (@REWearmouth) July 6, 2022
Boris Johnson says his Government "gets on relentlessly with a programme of uniting and levelling up"
Three ministers in the Department for Levelling Up (and a PPS) have quit since lunchtime
— Dominic Penna (@DominicPenna) July 6, 20225. A final flex?
Johnson still said he “cannot for the life of me” see why he should resign in the middle of the liaison committee as well.
In the same meeting, he referred to the current situation as “pointless political disturbance”, and cited his landslide election win from 2019 – despite actually being elected as leader by MPs, not directly by voters.
Labour’s Darren Jones tells Boris Johnson: ‘It’s not brave for you to carry on doing this.’
Johnson says he 'cannot for the life of me' see why he should resign
— Ned Simons (@nedsimons) July 6, 2022
Johnson refers to the current situation as “pointless political disturbance” and bangs table in visibly growing frustration, citing his electoral mandate again. Again – this is not a Presidential democracy. It’s a Parliamentary one. The voters do not choose PM.
— Julia Macfarlane 🏴🇮🇩 (@juliamacfarlane) July 6, 20226. Dumped by text
Tory MP Huw Merriman shared his no confidence letter on Twitter while he was sat opposite the prime minister during the committee meeting. Minutes later, it was his turn to start questioning Johnson.
Huw Merriman texts no confidence minutes before questioning Johnson at liaison
— John Crace (@JohnJCrace) July 6, 20227. Resignation ratings
In fact, there were so many resignation letters, that a Twitter account called @ResignWell started rating each one out of 20.
Your 'Dear P M' appears to be drifting upwards. Please use some of your over-used 'deep regrets' to anchor it to a horizontal line. A conciliatory tone, smoothing the passage to a new role. Exactly how many 'one last benefit of the doubt' have you handed out? 15/20 https://t.co/ktDuJWWA7gpic.twitter.com/JkK4XYX4rP
— Rate your resignation letter (@ResignWell) July 6, 20228. An unfortunate signature
The parliamentary private secretary for the chancellor, Craig Williams, also seemed to sign his resignation letter in such a rush that his signature reminded several people of something…
pic.twitter.com/2359fi3GlK
— Graeme Demianyk (@GraemeDemianyk) July 6, 20229. Who’s next?
Speculation over who might run as Johnson replacement – even as the prime minister refuses to step down – has already begun with momentum. When former chancellor Rishi Sunak’s wife came out to offer journalists tea and biscuits, he was immediately put in the running.
he's running https://t.co/jnMPvTDAWT
— Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) July 6, 202210. ‘Rolling heads’
Even last night – when the long list of resignations had only just started – Lord Moylan was sparring with the ‘Stop Brexit’ man, Steve Bray, when the Conservative hit his head on a lamppost as he was walking away.
Lord Moylan just now at Parliament… How to keep your head when all around they are rolling….. pic.twitter.com/v5pqCWrvkw
— Steve Bray Activist Against Brexit +Corrupt Tories (@snb19692) July 5, 202211. Dorries loyal to the last
While the writing looked like it was on the wall, one loyalist remained steadfast.
Nadine Dorries seemed to be going against the delegation of cabinet ministers set to tell Johnson to leave.
When asked if the PM’s position was sustainable, the culture secretary told reporters on Downing Street: “It is.”
Nadine Dorries enters Number 10:
“Are you telling him to quit?”
“No, definitely not.”
“Is it sustainable though?”
“It is.” pic.twitter.com/HMtGDE8ZQ3
— Georgie Prodromou (@GeorgieProRadio) July 6, 2022Related…Five Ministers Quit Government At Once As Boris Johnson’s Premiership Nears The EndAll The Tory MPs Who Have Resigned From Boris Johnson’s Government So FarSajid Javid Says He Resigned After Concluding ‘Enough Is Enough’
