New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Chart of the Day
13 January 2022

If Boris Johnson goes, he would be the shortest-lived prime minister this century

Johnson has so far had a shorter premiership than Gordon Brown and Theresa May.

By Nick Ferris

Boris Johnson’s premiership is on a knife-edge. At least nine staff parties held by Conservative Party leaders during lockdowns are currently under investigation by the senior civil servant Sue Gray. This is the same woman whose investigation into top Theresa May ally Damian Green led to him being sacked for lying about pornography on his work computer in 2017.

Wednesday (12 January) saw leaders of all three main opposition parties call for the Prime Minister’s resignation, after Johnson admitted at Prime Minister’s Questions to attending a May 2020 “bring your own booze” party in the Downing Street garden during the national lockdown. The Prime Minister cut a forlorn figure, while leader of the opposition Keir Starmer was at his incisive best.

Whether Johnson stays or goes remains up in the air. But Gray has said she will complete her investigation “as soon as possible”, reportedly by next week. If the results lead to either his ousting or resignation, then Johnson’s premiership would go down in the annals as being the fifth shortest since 1900, shorter than both those of Gordon Brown and Theresa May. 

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Can green energy solutions deliver for nature and people?
"Why wouldn't you?" Joining the charge towards net zero
The road to clean power 2030

Topics in this article :