U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Will Reportedly Resign After Government Exodus

Topline

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will reportedly step down as Conservative Party leader after multiple scandals provoked widespread outrage and mass resignations among members of his own government, the BBC reported on Thursday, marking an end to a polarizing political career and premiership marred by controversy.

Key Facts

Key Background

Johnson’s political career, particularly his premiership, has been dramatic and controversial. His allies praise his role delivering Brexit and leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, though these achievements are marred by successive scandals including numerous rule breaking parties at Downing Street—dubbed “Partygate”—that garnered Johnson the dubious honor of becoming the first sitting British prime minister to be sanctioned for breaking the law. “Partygate” followed widespread criticism over the government’s handling of the pandemic, the funding of Johnson’s flat refurbishment, unlawfully suspending parliament and a series of other issues before entering 10 Downing Street including being sacked from the shadow Cabinet and fired for making up quotes as a journalist. Accusations that Johnson lied to Downing Street staff and ministers over whether he was aware of previous allegations made against Chris Pincher before he was appointed as deputy chief whip have catalyzed the current movement against Johnson, prompting the resignation of senior Cabinet members, including the finance minister and health minister. Pincher resigned from his position in late June after new allegations of sexual misconduct and Johnson later said he was briefed on the allegations but forgot about them.

What To Watch For

Leadership contest. Johnson’s successor will be whoever the Conservative Party elects to head the party. This process can take weeks and prime ministers typically stay on until a new leader is selected. Johnson’s predecessor, Theresa May, stayed on for weeks as a “caretaker” prime minister after she resigned over Brexit in 2019. If Johnson steps down immediately, a replacement is needed, though there is no automatic line of succession. Deputy prime minister Dominic Raab, the Secretary of State for Justice, has stepped in for Johnson before, though this is not guaranteed.

What We Don’t Know

Election in Uxbridge and South Ruislip. In addition to his role as prime minister, Johnson represents Uxbridge and South Ruislip as a Member of Parliament (MP). If he resigns from this position as well, a by-election will be triggered to elect a replacement. There is no rule or tradition stopping former prime ministers from serving as MPs. May has remained in parliament as MP for Maidenhead, while her predecessor, David Cameron, stood down months after stepping down.

Big Number

148. That’s how many of Johnson’s Conservative MPs said they had no confidence in him as party leader in June. The figure means around 40% of Conservative MPs voted against Johnson’s leadership (211 voted they had confidence in him), a significant though insufficient number to oust him as leader. Winning the confidence vote granted immunity from another effort to remove him as leader, though the Committee responsible for organizing Conservative MPs reportedly considered changing these rules to allow an earlier vote on Johnson’s leadership.

Further Reading

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Fights For Survival After Wave Of Government Resignations (Forbes)

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Survives Confidence Vote After ‘Partygate’ Scandal (Forbes)

Chris Pincher: How No 10 changed its story on what Boris Johnson knew (BBC)