'Partygate' turmoil continues, Johnson forced to reshuffle cabinet

　　□ Our trainee reporter Wang Wei Our reporter Wu Qiong

　　In the past few days, the "party gate" storm that the British Johnson government held parties during the epidemic period seriously violated the epidemic prevention regulations continued to ferment.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced the dual pressure of the Conservative Party and the Labour Party for this, and had to reshuffle the cabinet on February 8 in response to the demands of the British people and the Conservative Party and beyond.

However, he did not completely escape the crisis of confidence.

Affected by a series of events such as "Party Gate", Johnson's government will face considerable pressure and criticism in the future.

　　The British Cabinet Office has released a preliminary report on the "partygate" investigation.

Some media criticized this, saying that the Johnson government requires the public to abide by the epidemic prevention regulations, but organizes gatherings on the other hand. This is obviously unjust and unreasonable, and it is extremely inconsistent with the ethics of the core government staff, highlighting Johnson's "ineffective leadership" .

　　Johnson's approval rating has recently slipped to the lowest level since he became prime minister in 2019 due to the "party gate".

A quick poll of about 1,000 Britons by Opinium Consulting in the UK showed that 62% of respondents wanted Johnson to resign, while 83% thought he had violated epidemic prevention regulations.

Previous polls by Severson and Savanta-Conres had come up with similar results, with most people wanting Johnson to resign.

　　The crisis of confidence that Johnson has faced in recent times is evident from this.

　　According to media reports, Johnson had to be questioned by lawmakers in parliament for about two hours after the Cabinet Office investigation report was released.

He expressed his willingness to apologize in a hoarse voice as he debated.

Subsequently, Johnson also promised that his team will make changes, and will also adjust the way it engages with members of the Conservative Party.

However, in the face of pressure to resign, Johnson firmly refused to resign unless the Armoured Division was sent to drag him from the Prime Minister's office.

　　The "Partygate" scandal and calls for his resignation have not died down despite Johnson's apology and his willingness to overhaul the team.

　　Affected by this, key positions in Johnson's team have left.

On February 4 alone, five key members of Johnson's policy chief, chief private secretary, communications director, and chief of staff resigned from No. 10 Downing Street.

　　In order to avoid confusion, Johnson then called all the staff of the Prime Minister's Office to talk and reiterated his personal and Prime Minister's commitment to work: by keeping people safe, improving people's lives, and serving the public.

　　Regarding the successive resignations of key members of the Prime Minister's Office, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) commented that the resignation of these senior aides comes at a time when Johnson is facing more and more doubts in the Conservative Party.

The house leak happened overnight. After the "Partygate" scandal fermented, a number of Conservative MPs have written to the "Conservative Party Ordinary MPs Committee" requesting a vote of no confidence in Johnson.

In this regard, the BBC pointed out that if such letters reach a certain number, Johnson "is bound to be tested by a vote of no confidence".

　　Under the influence of the above-mentioned series of events, Johnson had to reshuffle the cabinet to respond to the demands of all parties.

On February 8, local time, the British government issued an announcement announcing a reshuffle of the cabinet, appointing Michelle Alice as Minister of the Cabinet Office, Stuart Andrew as Senior Deputy Minister of Regional Equilibrium, Housing and Community Affairs, and Yale. Cobb Rees-Mogg as Senior Undersecretary for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, appoints Chris Heaton-Harris as Chancellor of the Treasury and Chancellor-General, and Mark Spencer as Leader of the House of Commons .

　　So far, following the dramatic personnel changes in the Prime Minister's Office, the turmoil faced by Johnson's government has spread to the cabinet.

Although Johnson's spokesman explained that "this cabinet reshuffle is to change the way the British government works, and at the same time strengthen the relationship between the cabinet, parliament and government, this is what we are seeking to achieve", but it can not hide the impact of the Johnson government. Facts about the "Party Door" turmoil.

　　According to sources, in the next few days, the British Prime Minister's Office is expected to announce more personnel appointments.

It seems that the storm caused by the "party gate" will continue to burn.