In the crisis surrounding British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the prime minister loses more cabinet members. After Health Minister Sajid Javid, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and dozens of Conservative MPs resigned on Tuesday, the British Minister for Wales also announced his resignation late Wednesday evening. Johnson also fired his Minister for Works and Housing, Michael Gove. Total have in the past few days more than 40 members of the government gave up their posts.
While praising the PM for his “energy, vision, determination and humour,” 58-year-old Simon Hart went on to tweet: “I was desperately hoping to avoid writing this letter, but sadly it seems to me no other way to stay.”
He has never been a “big fan” of the idea that ministerial resignations are the best way to force change. Colleagues would have done their best, privately and publicly, to help Johnson “turn the ship around.” Unfortunately, he feels the point has been passed where this is possible.
Johnson rejects calls for his resignation
According to media reports, Conservative Prime Minister Johnson had previously rejected calls by a number of cabinet members to resign. Among them is said to have been Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi, who was only appointed to his post on Tuesday. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the previously ultra-loyal Home Secretary Priti Patel, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng and Works and Housing Secretary Michael Gove are said to have also belonged to the delegation.
Late on Wednesday evening, Johnson then dismissed his long-time companion, who was considered one of the heavyweights in the cabinet. Gove has held various posts in government over the years. He had already campaigned alongside Johnson in the 2016 election campaign for the Brexit referendum. The relationship between im and Johnsons has always been characterized by competition.
Attorney General Braverman expresses interest in Johnson’s successor
Meanwhile, the candidates for a possible successor to Johnson as party and government leader are warming up. While resigning ministers like Javid and Sunak, as well as Secretary of State Liz Truss, have long been traded as candidates for Johnson’s legacy, Attorney General Suella Braverman is now throwing her hat in the ring. She was previously considered a supporter of Johnson, but now said in an interview with broadcaster ITV that the prime minister had to resign. You can imagine running for office.