China News Service, July 8 (Reporter Meng Xiangjun) British Prime Minister Johnson, who has messy blonde hair, finally couldn't bear the pressure and announced his resignation as Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader!

He also said he hoped to stay in office as caretaker prime minister until the fall of 2022, and quickly appointed a new cabinet after nearly half of the government members resigned.

　　However, according to a number of foreign media reports, the British opposition Labour Party, as well as several former officials who have resigned from the Johnson government, continued to "force the palace" and demanded a replacement as the caretaker prime minister, so that Johnson would "hand over power immediately today", otherwise it will be launched against him. A no-confidence vote, insisting that he step down as soon as possible.

　　As a key figure in leading the UK to complete "Brexit", why did Johnson fail to finish his term?

British Prime Minister Johnson.

【"Hidden Corner", big party】

　　Johnson's first wave of public opinion crisis caused a "hidden corner" party.

　　At first, the British media ITV exposed the incident as the gossip secret of No. 10 Downing Street.

This originally unknown party was held in May 2020, and now the scene photos are flying all over the place.

　　The photo shows Johnson, his wife Kelly, and two public officials sitting around a table, not far from the table, on the lawn, and many people are chatting in a circle.

　　No one wears a mask, and no one maintains social distancing.

The British "Guardian" published a photo of British Prime Minister Johnson's meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in May 2020 (the lower right of the picture shows Johnson and his wife and others).

Image source: Screenshot of the British "Guardian" report

　　You know, the UK's epidemic prevention measures were all spearheaded and even announced by Johnson.

At that time, the epidemic in the UK was very serious, and outdoor gatherings were limited to two people from different families.

　　The Prime Minister's Office does not lead by example, and holds parties without the knowledge of the whole UK. Typically, only state officials are allowed to set fires, and people are not allowed to light lamps!

　　At first, Johnson denied it had happened, but after the scene came out, he had to admit that he was at the party for 25 minutes.

Later, he was exposed to the scene with a toast with a glass of wine.

　　Unexpectedly, the British Prime Minister's Office has done this far more than once!

The media has successively exposed that between May 2020 and April 2021, the Prime Minister’s Office held at least 16 illegal parties, including Johnson’s own birthday party.

In a rehearsal video of a news conference, former British Prime Minister Stratton joking about the Prime Minister's office's illegal holding of a Christmas party.

Image source: Screenshot of video from Sky News, UK

　　What's more bloody is that in December 2021, the then British Prime Minister's spokesman Stratton revealed in a rehearsal video that he held a "Christmas party". Dozens of people huddled in a room to drink and chat, while officials from the Prime Minister's Office were in the video. What was discussed in the discussion was how to "cooperate for acting" and cover up all this from the public.

　　After the incident came to light, Stratton had to take the blame and resign to "block the gun" for Johnson.

[Scandal fermented, once survived the "forced palace"]

　　Johnson is very clear about the dangers of violating epidemic prevention.

He had contracted the new crown pneumonia himself, and was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for a time, and he walked through the gates of hell.

After the "Partygate" was exposed, although Johnson apologized, he refused to resign when he was questioned by the British House of Commons.

　　Hugh Gray, the permanent secretary of the British Cabinet Office, and the London Metropolitan Police have launched separate investigations.

In late May, Gray released a 37-page investigation report, confirming that senior officials in the Prime Minister's Office attended or organized gatherings, and pointed out that "No. 10 Downing Street has ineffective leadership and ill-consideration", and the high-level "must take responsibility for this kind of atmosphere".

　　Police issued more than 120 fines, including Johnson and his wife Carrie, Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak and others.

This operation can be said to be less harmful and highly insulting, because it makes Johnson the first prime minister in British history to break the law while in office.

Data map: British police patrol near Windsor Castle.

　　At this point in the matter, although Johnson claimed to "take full responsibility", he still has no intention of retreating.

　　As a result, Conservative MPs in the lower house of the British Parliament launched a vote of no confidence, with 359 MPs participating.

The results showed that more than 40% of Conservative MPs cast a no-confidence vote.

　　However, as the number of no-confidence votes was 148, which fell short of the 180-threshold required to pass a no-confidence motion, Johnson took a risk and kept the Conservative Party leader and prime minister temporarily.

[Multiple crises, betrayal and separation]

　　In addition to the "partygate" incident, Johnson is also in multiple crises.

　　First, Johnson has been accused of embezzling political donations after spending £200,000 to renovate his Downing Street apartment.

　　Second, Johnson insisted on appointing Chris Pincher as the Conservative Party deputy whip when he already knew about his indiscretion, causing a crisis of confidence.

Then, under pressure from many parties, Pincher resigned.

　　Third, Johnson cancelled the "Plan B" for the fight against the new crown epidemic, and then further relaxed the epidemic prevention measures and abolished the "mask order", which was equivalent to "lying flat".

Some British people who lost family and friends in the epidemic expressed strong opposition.

After the "Party Gate" was exposed, the public became increasingly dissatisfied.

　　Under the Johnson government's anti-epidemic policy, more than 280,000 people in the UK are infected with the new crown every day. Scientists predict that the number of infections in the country in a single day will soon exceed 350,000.

　　Fourth, on economic and political issues, Johnson's administration also failed to win applause.

File:British Houses of Parliament.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Zhang Ping

　　Affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Western countries including the United Kingdom have banned the purchase of Russian natural gas and other energy sources, resulting in high oil prices in the United Kingdom, inflation hitting a 40-year high, and people's living costs have greatly increased.

　　A recent poll by YouGov showed that 69% of the respondents believed that Johnson should resign.

　　A bigger blow comes from those around you.

As of July 7, more than 50 government members have announced their resignation, including Johnson's former supporters, Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak and Health Secretary Javid.

That percentage is close to 50 percent of the government's membership.

　　Today, Johnson can be said to be "believing relatives and leaving."

　　Davis, a former ally of Johnson and a senior Conservative MP, once lamented: "I hold our leaders accountable for the actions they take." "For God's sake, let's go."

[Finally, the word "drag" is used]

　　Perhaps, to the surprise of his colleagues and political opponents, Johnson, despite agreeing to resign, struggled in the end.

He appointed a new cabinet overnight, with a trick of "drag". He did not intend to step down now, but would wait until "a new leader was elected" before handing over power.

　　Therefore, the opposition Labour Party continued to "force the palace", saying that Johnson must "step down immediately today", otherwise it will launch a vote of no confidence in him, and the result is the same.

FILE PHOTO: Johnson speaks outside 10 Downing Street.

　　Earlier on the 7th local time, Johnson's former chief adviser Cummings said that Johnson should be "expelled as soon as possible", and Raab, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, will become the caretaker prime minister.

In a dilemma, I don't know how Johnson's next move should be.

　　Johnson's tide is over, and the only good news for the end of his term may be that the news of his resignation has spurred gains in the pound and London stocks.

　　Britain's high inflation, weak economy and political uncertainty have taken a toll on British assets.

Bloomberg pointed out that news of Johnson's resignation may bring some initial relief to British assets.

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