British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a meeting at the Downing Street Cabinet on Tuesday. Credit … Photo of the pool by Ian Vogler
LONDON – Britain woke up on Tuesday with a changed political landscape, even if its prime minister remained in office. Boris Johnson’s not-so-convincing victory in a no-confidence vote by his own party on Monday left him severely damaged, with several obvious ways to resurrect his wealth and many opportunities for coup plotters.
With potentially devastating parliamentary by-elections two weeks later and a drumbeat of sad economic news, Mr Johnson’s political stance could deteriorate further. Some rebels in his Conservative Party may wonder if they acted prematurely, forcing a vote now instead of waiting a few more weeks.
Political analysts say this reflects the original nature of the uprising. It was a less rigorous coup attempt than an organic movement of Tory lawmakers frustrated by months of revelations about illegal social gatherings at 10 Downing Street at a time when the rest of the country was in isolating pandemic blockades.
Among the autopsies, the most stinging may be that of William Hague, a former Conservative leader who is relatively reticent in his criticism of Mr Johnson. He directly told the prime minister to resign.
“Votes have been cast that show a higher level of rejection than any Tory leader has ever endured and survived,” Hague wrote in The Times of London. “Deep down, he must realize this and direct his mind to escape in a way that spares the parties and the country from such agony and insecurity.”
Conservative lawmakers said Monday that Mr Johnson survived a no-confidence vote. Credit … Stefan Rousseau / Press Association, through the Associated Press
Nothing in Mr. Johnson’s manner suggests that he plans to do so. He told a cabinet meeting Tuesday morning that it was time to put aside internal divisions over his status and “continue to talk about issues that I think people in this country want to talk about.”
Later this week, he is expected to make a series of political statements that are calculated to turn the page of recent cataclysms and try to restart his government. Inevitably, there is talk of another change in the cabinet.
The government may also introduce legislation to revise the post-Brexit trade rules that govern Northern Ireland. That may please staunch Brexit supporters in the party, some of whom voted against Mr Johnson on Monday. But this will oppose the European Union at a time when Britain cannot afford further turmoil.
The bigger question facing Mr Johnson is how he will pass difficult legislation when more than 40 per cent of his MEPs voted to remove him. Relying on the opposition Labor Party to accept political proposals would be an awkward path for a prime minister known for his arrogance.
As food and fuel prices rise, the government faces difficult decisions about taxes and public spending. How he will pit them against a bitterly divided party is far from clear.
“Mark Landler and Megan Spice.”
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