Tony Blair was forced into a minor heart operation during his time as prime minister. But that situation was never as serious as now that a sitting British Prime Minister is in need of intensive care.
- I do not immediately come to any similar situation. Especially when the situation feels so dangerous. What you can think of is Churchill, who had a stroke during his time as prime minister. But then it was possible to keep it secret in a way that is obviously not possible today, says Nicholas Aylott.
"A country under enormous stress"Winston Churchill had a stroke in the summer of 1953. The situation was serious and it was uncertain if he would survive. But how serious it was the public did not know until much later.
This time the news is reported the same day - and that in a country that is already in a difficult situation.
How does this affect the UK?
- It is a country under enormous stress right now. There are many who are hospitalized and die. And then it is a very stressful situation with the existing restrictions that people have to live under. There are already some signs of what I see of tension between the police and people who may interpret the rules differently than the police do.
- And this also comes directly after the entire Brexit follower. There are still deep feelings in the country regarding this. So it can be a new trauma if the prime minister's situation does not get better soon.
"A stable position of power"How is the country governed in the meantime?
- It is Foreign Minister Dominic Raab who is the most senior city council. It is he who, although he does not have the official title, is the head of government now until Boris Johnson is back.
How in a hurry is it for him to come back?
- Politically it is not in a hurry. He has a stable position of power. I don't think there is any stress from a time perspective. He has every opportunity to recover from the disease.
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"Johnson's situation deteriorated during the afternoon" Photo: SVT / TT