Press review
The calls for Boris Johnson’s resignation are getting louder. His “Partygate” affair is increasing the political pressure – a hit for the British media. A look at the front pages.
It looks bleak for Boris Johnson. After reports of several government parties in the corona lockdown, the opposition initially called for the British Prime Minister to resign. But as more and more piquant details of the events come to light, parts of his own party are now turning away from him – also because the so-called “Partygate” affair is increasingly costing the conservatives their support. According to one commissioned by the Times, the opposition Labor Party is now ten percentage points ahead of Johnson’s Tories – the largest gap in eight years.
Johnson apologized in the House of Commons on Wednesday for a garden party on Downing Street during the first corona lockdown in May 2020. He assumed it was a working meeting, but in retrospect this was wrong. Johnson’s office manager had invited around 100 employees by email and emphasized: “Bring your own alcohol.”
For the British press, the Premier’s antics are a hit. A look at the front pages on Thursday.
For the “Daily Mirror” A single word is enough: “Shame” is the headline that appears in large white letters over a picture of Johnson during his apology in the House of Commons. In a longer subtitle the “Mirror” writes: “First Johnson said that no rules were broken … then he said he knew nothing about parties … now he admits he was at one of them … but didn’t know it was a party. “
the “Times” publishes the picture of a grim-looking Johnson in the House of Commons, along with the headline “Defiant Prime Minister Refuses to Quit while polls continue to slide”. As the newspaper reports, Johnson was also defiant in conversations with party colleagues. He is said to have said at a meeting that he did not do anything wrong personally.
With his apology, Johnson bought time, comments the Times. Nevertheless, the party’s internal resistance is great. “It is over. It cannot be defended and it is amazing how little support he has within the group,” the paper quoted a cabinet member as saying.
Also the “Guardian” directs its main focus on a possible political end Johnson. “The future of the Prime Minister on a knife-edge after the No. 10 party apology” is the headline, alluding to the most famous house number in London – Johnson’s official residence at 10 Downing Street.
the “Financial Times” focuses on the growing resistance within the conservative party. The headline reads: “Johnson confronts Tories with termination demands after attending lockdown party”. Also the British morning paper “i” headlines “Tories call on Boris Johnson to resign”.
the “Telegraph” takes a slightly different path with its headline “Sunak leaves Johnson in the balance” and focuses on the half-hearted support of the British Treasury Secretary Rishi Sunak for the disgraced Prime Minister.
On the front page of the daily newspaper columnist Juliet Samuel commented with a sharp tongue: “Boris Johnson’s apology for attending a party on Downing Street during the May 2020 lockdown may have bought him some time. But whether it saved his political career is Questionable. Support from his own back bench in the House of Commons has been muted, suggesting that Tory MPs are now seriously wondering whether he will survive the result of an independent investigation into events (…). “
In contrast to the rather critical reports at the beginning of the week, the “Daily Mail” now softer tones and headlines “Operation Rettet Boris”. Only the “lukewarm support of Rishi” could mean trouble, writes the conservative newspaper.
On the other hand, he finds clear words “Daily Record”. His bold headline “Cock and Bull Tory” translates as “Robber Pistol Tory” – and that too “National” does not hold back and headlines simply “liars”.
Also the popular tabloid “Metro” with its “Sorry … not sorry” headline questions the prime minister’s apology – the “Star” goes one better with the headline “Rules are only for ordinary people!”
Boris Johnson’s future remains uncertain. The Prime Minister has not yet expressly ruled out a resignation. However, he asked to await the outcome of an ongoing internal investigation into several alleged lockdown parties on Downing Street. In order for parliament to vote on Johnson’s future, 15 percent of the 360 Conservative MPs have to express their distrust in the prime minister. Officially, he is still a long way from that.
The prime minister did not have to face new questions from the media on Thursday. Because a family member tested positive for Corona, Johnson canceled a scheduled visit to a vaccination center.
Source From: Stern
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