THE long-awaited Sue Gray report has finally been published. What did we learn? It detailed a culture of partying at the heart of government, with incidents of drunkenness, vomiting and fighting.
This would be bad enough in any workplace – never mind the departments charged with running the country – but it also took place during strict lockdown restrictions.
Gray concluded the “senior leadership” must bear responsibility for the culture which prevailed – yes, that means you Prime Minister.
In days gone by, you might have expected this to lead to a swift and shame-faced resignation.
Not so with Boris Johnson. His excuses included that it was an “essential duty of leadership” to attend leaving dos and thank departing staff, conveniently forgetting that his priority should have been to show leadership to the whole country by following the rules. Johnson apologised, bluffed his way out and decided it was time for the nation to move on.
The Tories conveniently suddenly found the time to unveil new policies to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
And, facing a fresh investigation by the House of Commons Privileges Committee, Johnson moved to change the ministerial code so that ministers will no longer automatically be expected to resign or face the sack over breaches.
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It’s hardly the actions of a Prime Minister who is prepared to resign.
As we report today, there are signs of growing discontent in the Tory party over his leadership – but there has been no deluge of letters from 1922 Committee Conservative MPs demanding a vote of confidence. Like Johnson, they too are more concerned with their own interests than that of the country.
All this means Johnson could be in power until the next general election. If he wants to cling on and his MPs want to keep him, there is little anyone can do.
That is one reason why it is crucial indyref2 takes place in 2023 – so Scotland can choose to get Johnson and his party out of the country for good.
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