https://sputnikglobe.com/20220605/bojo-to-fend-off-no-confidence-vote-by-overriding-ni-protocol-new-nhs-policies-say-reports-1096019835.html
BoJo To Fend Off No-Confidence Vote By Overriding NI Protocol, New NHS Policies, Say Reports
BoJo To Fend Off No-Confidence Vote By Overriding NI Protocol, New NHS Policies, Say Reports
Sputnik International
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been desperate to move on from “partygate”, seeking ways to avoid a vote of no confidence from rebellious MPs appalled... 05.06.2022, Sputnik International
2022-06-05T05:26+0000
2022-06-05T05:26+0000
2023-05-28T15:19+0000
boris johnson
northern ireland protocol
brexit
post-brexit
national health service (nhs)
united kingdom (uk)
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With a Tory rebellion reportedly brewing to oust him over “partygate,” Boris Johnson is gearing up to unveil new legislation to override the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) this week, according to The Sunday Telegraph.The mooted measure is seen as one of a series of diversionary tactics drummed up to overcome a Tory mutiny over his leadership.Johnson’s allies are said to be hoping that unilaterally changing the treaty covering post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland - an integral part of the EU-UK divorce agreement - could fend off a vote of no confidence in the UK's Prime Minister. By risking what Brussels warned could set off a full-blown trade war with the EU, the PM could be seen as delivering on major policy areas, insiders were cited as saying.‘A Lot of Discontent’ BrewingBoth Johnson and Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, are expected to tout the Northern Ireland legislation as vital to salvage the Good Friday Agreement. According to ministers, the 1998 deal that brought an end to violence in Northern Ireland is being put at risk by the EU’s “rigid” implementation of the protocol.In May, Truss hailed the mooted Bill to dismantle parts of the deal governing how goods enter Northern Ireland from the rest of the country “will ensure goods moving and staying in the UK are freed of unnecessary bureaucracy”.However, Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s top official in charge of UK relations, suggested that the new legislation risked a trade war, warning that Brussels “will need to respond with all measures at its disposal”. The European Commission vice-president insisted that the EU and UK can still “find joint solutions within the framework of the protocol”.According to Truss, talks on the contentious issue between the sides have “run out of road.”Brexiteers have been urging Johnson to stand up to the EU over the protocol. Accordingly, publishing the new legislation could help rally dissenting Tories around the PM, his aides believe.It is also alleged that Johnson is expected to make the NHS a key feature of several policy announcements in the coming days. Issues such as NHS waiting lists and the difficulties in obtaining in-person GP appointments, along with the National Insurance increase announced last year have rankled with the public and could lose the Conservatives votes at the next election.“There is a lot of discontent in the parliamentary party, and there is a strong feeling that there will be a vote,” one minister was quoted as admitting.The minister reportedly added that members of the Government would join the ranks of those voting to oust the PM if a no confidence vote were triggered. The source ostensibly added that those who “slag him off privately” are “realistically ... not going to vote for him”.‘Impending’ Confidence VoteOpposition cried for the Tory PM to quit began right from the start of the so-called “partygate” row. After separate investigations into the alcohol-fuelled lockdown parties in Downing Street during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020-21 by Scotland Yard and senior civil servant Sue Gray wrapped up, calls for Johnson to resign gained in strength.The 57-year-old Tory leader received a single Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) fine from the Met, issued also to his wife, Carrie, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, for having attended a surprise party for the PM’s 56th birthday on 19 June 2020 that was found to have breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The Prime Minister apologised for the incident, but maintained he believed it was a work event.However, by now more than 40 Conservative MPs have publicly called on him to resign because of the scandal, according to UK media outlets. No confidence letters in Boris Johnson, who is now facing a probe by the Standards and Privileges Committee into whether he misled Parliament over the aforesaid gatherings in Downing Street, have also been written by some of the MPs.Under Conservative party rules, Johnson will face a confidence vote in a secret ballot if 54 Tory MPs submit a letter to Sir Graham Brady, who chairs the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers. There have been reports that some in Westminster believe the threshold could be met after the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations.Some rebel Tory MPs are believed to be waiting for the results of the Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton by-elections on 23 June before submitting a letter.A survey of voters in Wakefield by JL Partners for The Sunday Times suggests the Tories could lose by as much as 20 points.The polling puts Labour on 48 points compared with 28 points for the Conservatives.Johnson, who stated earlier this week that quitting over the “miserable” scandal would be irresponsible, was met with boos when he attended the Jubilee thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20220518/eu-invokes-threat-of-trade-war-will-use-all-measures-at-its-disposal-if-uk-tears-up-ni-protocol-1095594537.html
https://sputnikglobe.com/20220604/bojo-could-face-rolling-leadership-challenge-amid-reports-of-mulled-change-to-no-confidence-rules-1095993996.html
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boris johnson, northern ireland protocol, brexit, post-brexit, national health service (nhs), united kingdom (uk)
boris johnson, northern ireland protocol, brexit, post-brexit, national health service (nhs), united kingdom (uk)
BoJo To Fend Off No-Confidence Vote By Overriding NI Protocol, New NHS Policies, Say Reports
05:26 GMT 05.06.2022 (Updated: 15:19 GMT 28.05.2023) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been desperate to move on from “partygate”, seeking ways to avoid a vote of no confidence from rebellious MPs appalled by his handling of the row over gatherings which breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions in Downing Street in 2020 and 2021.
With a
Tory rebellion reportedly brewing to oust him over “partygate,” Boris Johnson is gearing up to unveil new legislation to override the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) this week, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
The mooted measure is seen as one of a series of diversionary tactics drummed up to overcome a Tory mutiny over his leadership.
Johnson’s allies are said to be hoping that unilaterally changing the treaty covering post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland - an integral part of the EU-UK divorce agreement - could fend off a vote of no confidence in the UK's Prime Minister. By risking what Brussels warned could set off a full-blown trade war with the EU, the PM could be seen as delivering on major policy areas, insiders were cited as saying.
‘A Lot of Discontent’ Brewing
Both Johnson and Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, are expected to tout the Northern Ireland legislation as vital to salvage the Good Friday Agreement. According to ministers, the 1998 deal that brought an end to violence in Northern Ireland is being put at risk by the EU’s “rigid” implementation of the protocol.
In May, Truss
hailed the mooted Bill to dismantle parts of the deal governing how goods enter Northern Ireland from the rest of the country “will ensure goods moving and staying in the UK are freed of unnecessary bureaucracy”.
However, Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s top official in charge of UK relations, suggested that the new legislation
risked a trade war, warning that Brussels “will need to respond with all measures at its disposal”. The European Commission vice-president insisted that the EU and UK can still “find joint solutions within the framework of the protocol”.
According to Truss, talks on the contentious issue between the sides have “run out of road.”
Brexiteers have been urging Johnson to stand up to the EU over the protocol. Accordingly, publishing the new legislation could help rally dissenting Tories around the PM, his aides believe.
“Everyone knows we can’t carry on like this for months on end. There is deep dissatisfaction in all intakes, all parts of the party, and all ideologies. It is a mix of Leavers and Remainers,” the unnamed minister was quoted as saying.
It is also alleged that Johnson is expected to make the
NHS a key feature of several policy announcements in the coming days. Issues such as NHS waiting lists and the difficulties in obtaining in-person GP appointments, along with the National Insurance increase announced last year have rankled with the public and could lose the Conservatives votes at the next election.
“There is a lot of discontent in the parliamentary party, and there is a strong feeling that there will be a vote,” one minister was quoted as admitting.
The minister reportedly added that members of the Government would join the ranks of those voting to oust the PM if a no confidence vote were triggered. The source ostensibly added that those who “slag him off privately” are “realistically ... not going to vote for him”.
‘Impending’ Confidence Vote
Opposition cried for the Tory PM to quit began right from the start of the so-called “partygate” row. After separate investigations into the alcohol-fuelled lockdown parties in Downing Street during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020-21 by Scotland Yard and senior civil servant Sue Gray wrapped up, calls for Johnson to resign gained in strength.
The 57-year-old Tory leader received a single Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) fine from the Met, issued also to his wife, Carrie, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, for having attended a surprise party for the PM’s 56th birthday on 19 June 2020 that was found to have breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The Prime Minister apologised for the incident, but maintained he believed it was a work event.
However, by now more than 40 Conservative MPs have publicly called on him to resign because of the scandal, according to UK media outlets.
No confidence letters in Boris Johnson, who is now facing a probe by the Standards and Privileges Committee into whether he misled Parliament over the aforesaid gatherings in Downing Street, have also been written by some of the MPs.
Under Conservative party rules, Johnson will face a confidence vote in a secret ballot if 54 Tory MPs submit a letter to Sir Graham Brady, who chairs the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers. There have been reports that some in Westminster believe the threshold could be met after the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations.
Some rebel Tory MPs are believed to be waiting for the results of the Wakefield and Tiverton and Honiton by-elections on 23 June before submitting a letter.
A survey of voters in Wakefield by JL Partners for The Sunday Times suggests the Tories could lose by as much as 20 points.
The polling puts Labour on 48 points compared with 28 points for the Conservatives.
Johnson, who stated earlier this week
that quitting over the “miserable” scandal would be irresponsible, was
met with boos when he attended the Jubilee thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday.
