The first ministerial resignation over partygate – could more follow?
Spectator (UK)Sep 09, 2022
UK Justice Minister Resigns Over Partygate Revelations
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Image copyright: Crown Copyright [via The Telegraph]
The Facts
Lord David Wolfson, a Conservative UK justice minister, has resigned from the MoJ after PM Boris Johnson and Chan. Rishi Sunak received fines earlier this week for breaking lockdown restrictions.
An investigation by the Met police found that the two had breached the law when they attended a party in Downing St. marking Johnson's birthday during lockdown.
The Spin
Left narrative
This puts yet more pressure on Johnson to do the decent thing and resign. It's becoming ever clearer that his position is untenable and voters are incensed at his arrogance and double standards. By staying in office, the PM is eroding fundamental constitutional principles.
Right narrative
Now is not the right or responsible time for Johnson to go. The UK and the rest of Europe face an international crisis over the Russian invasion of Ukraine; though a change of leader would be appropriate under normal circumstances, the UK cannot risk appointing a lame-duck PM at such a grave time.
