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United Kingdom: Boris Johnson, the end clap?

Audio 03:11

Boris Johnson announced Thursday, July 7 his resignation from the Conservative Party but indicated that he would remain in power until his successor was appointed.

© REUTERS/Phil Noble

By: Bruno Daroux Follow

3 mins

A look back at the incredible political sequence that the United Kingdom has just experienced, which ended temporarily with the announcement by Boris Johnson of his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party, and therefore in principle from the post of Prime Minister.

Is this really the end clap for Boris Johnson? 

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A priori,

yes, but be careful with Boris Johnson, you always have to be careful!

After 36 hours of incredible political theater, of cascading resignations within his cabinet, he had to do the unthinkable for him:

.

This implies, in a parliamentary system like that of the United Kingdom, that he will not be able to remain as Prime Minister either. 

Yes, but when ?

“That is the question”, as we say across the Channel.

Because Boris Johnson not only did not make any

on the events and the scandals which caused his fall, but on the contrary praised his extraordinary record since his triumphant election in December 2019. “ 

 “, he said, speaking of the pack which was unleashed against him in the House of Commons. 

► Also to listen: United Kingdom: the reaction of Londoners to the resignation of Boris Johnson

In short, he heavily emphasized that his decision was heavily constrained, and that he would remain in Downing Street long enough for the Conservative Party to find a successor.

Which could take weeks and allow him to remain in place until the fall and to expedite current affairs.

Distrust of Boris Johnson

And it is precisely this scenario that not only his Labor opposition wants to avoid, which plans to table a motion of censure against the government and, in the event of victory, to obtain an early general election - which nevertheless seems difficult to achieve.

But it is also what many conservatives fear, who want to settle his succession as quickly as possible, especially since the candidates for the post are numerous.

Why so much mistrust?

Out of caution, therefore, because they know the animal Johnson, who never admits defeat, even in a situation like the one in which he finds himself. 

To put it clearly, they fear that the outgoing Prime Minister is looking for a way not to leave

for example by provoking early elections.

And then, the rejection of which he is the object within his own party and in public opinion pleads for a clap of a rapid end to the Johnson era if the Conservative party wants to regain its strength behind a new leader in view of the next elections.

Hence the pressure on Boris Johnson to get off to a quick start - so far without success.

His opponents in the Tories suspect him of wanting to buy time to try to stay in power. 

arm wrestling

It is therefore a real standoff that we have been witnessing since Thursday.

The problem is that the Conservative party cannot go to the polls at the moment - it would be almost certain to lose to Labour.

He also doesn't want Johnson to stay too long in Downing Street, as it would be a long political agony - disastrous for the Tories. 

But Boris Johnson invokes custom and common sense: someone needs time to appoint a new leader.

It happened, it happened in the past indeed.

The British Tories have not finished drinking the Johnson chalice to the dregs.

Unless suddenly, he changes his mind and the election of a new leader takes place in record time.

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• UK

• Boris Johnson