British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is preparing for difficult explanations, Wednesday, January 19, facing the deputies, still weakened by the rebellion of young elected members of his majority exasperated by the holiday scandal in Downing Street.

Despite a series of political announcements with populist overtones aimed at winning back his base and the announcement expected during the day of the easing of anti-Covid restrictions, the conservative leader finds himself in an increasingly precarious position.

Around 20 young Tory MPs gathered on Tuesday to discuss a vote of no confidence in Boris Johnson, the UK press reported.

>> To read: Partygate: Boris Johnson denies having lied, Dominic Cummings contradicts him

These Tories, from the constituencies snatched from the Labor Party in the 2019 legislative elections, believe they have gathered enough votes to overthrow it in what the press is already dubbing the "pork pie plot", this pork pie which is a specialty of the constituency of one of these elected officials.

"The mood is turning sour" according to the Guardian.

"Rebel MPs conspire to oust Boris Johnson" headlines the Telegraph, a newspaper usually favorable to the government.

Whirlwind of revelations

Caught in a whirlwind of revelations about parties organized in Downing Street while the United Kingdom lived under strict health constraints, Boris Johnson, 57, is currently going through his worst crisis since his spectacular accession to power in the summer of 2019.

His apologies to Parliament – ​​where he acknowledged his presence at one of these parties in May 2020 while claiming to have thought it was a working meeting – did not calm things down. He is preparing at a difficult time during the weekly question time in the House of Commons at 12 p.m. GMT. 

To oust him from the leadership of the Conservative party - and thereby from Downing Street - at least 54 Tories would have to send a letter to the "1922 committee" demanding a vote of no confidence.

For the moment, seven deputies have admitted having taken this step, but around thirty have done so according to the press, which wonders if the bar will be reached with the revolt of young elected officials. 

"I think we did, but it's hard to say," one participant told the BBC.

Another tells the Telegraph that "the time has come" for the Prime Minister.

According to the Financial Times, however, indecision still reigns and some still want to wait for the conclusions of the investigation into these festive events by senior civil servant Sue Gray.

The latter must in particular question the ex-adviser of Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings, who has become his sworn enemy, who accused him of lying.

New excuses

On Sky News, Secretary of State for the Armed Forces James Heappey put the rebellion of young elected officials into perspective, "not surprising": "I have sympathy for these colleagues, it is not easy" vis-à-vis their constituents, "many are under pressure because the British public is absolutely furious".

As well as parties during the lockdown, the Prime Minister is splattered by several patronage scandals and faces a purchasing power crisis, with inflation hitting its highest level in 30 years in the UK in December.

Saying to understand the anger of the public, Boris Johnson reiterated Tuesday his apologies for his "bad judgments", during an interview where he appeared particularly downcast.

But questioned several times about a possible resignation, he systematically evaded, referring to the conclusions expected soon from the internal investigation.

According to British media, Boris Johnson is planning a series of populist measures dubbed "Operation Biting Bone" to save his job.

His government has said it wants to use the army to block the arrival of migrants through the Channel and consider removing the license fee funding the BBC, two sensitive issues for its base.

He is due to speak to Parliament on Wednesday on the health situation and a restriction of anti-Covid restrictions, unpopular in his majority, is expected as contamination recedes after a violent wave in December.

With AFP

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