Bye Bye Boris Johnson – UK Prime Minister Resigns

BRIAN: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is calling it quits after 59 members of his government, approximately half its payroll, resigned rather than work another day with him. Of course, Boris doesn’t give up a party easily – as he’s proven throughout his tenure, and will continue as Leader of the Conservative until the conclusion  of another tedious process to find a new, non-elected successor. It has been a tumultuous period of leadership for the 58 year old former London Mayor, who has presided over once in a lifetime events including Brixit, a global pandemic and the climate crisis which saw average summer temperatures in England reach a record equalling 17.1deg. James Plushfoot looks back on what has certainly been a fascinating career.

PLUSHFOOT: A lovable oaf with a silly way with words (AUKUS SWKUAS), Boris Johnston made politics look easy after being elevated to Prime Ministership, unelected, in July 2019. His unique style and handsome looks propelled Johnston to a December election victory, just in time for the arrival of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan China that would ultimately end his tenure just over three years later. For many, the Boris years will be marked by the endless arguments surrounding Britain’s exit from the European Union and its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. But Johnston’s carefree attitude and witty repartee was a point of difference in global p  olitics – Who could forget Boris the Brave (Zipline) – Boris the Bard (Great supine…Raucous Caucus) – Boris the Baller (Basketball, Boris the Bong Head – smoke a spliff), or everybody’s favourite – Boris the Bumbling Bus Building Bloke (I make buses)

Johnson was unrivalled in his ability to get things done quickly, never afraid to turn 180 deg to ensure an outcome. We asked INN’s favourite sports reporter Joe Sockic to countdown the Top Five Turnarounds of Boris Johnson’s career.

1. Aug. 28 2019: Boris organises a legal suspension of Parliament to stop opponents from thwarting his no-deal Brexit, [SOUND] before the UK Supreme Court rules the suspension illegal, 27 days later.
2. Sept. 5 2019: Boris suggests he’d rather be “dead in a ditch” than ask the EU for another Brexit extension, [SOUND] before asking the EU for another extension, 44 days later. 
3. March 23 2020: Johnson places U.K. in lockdown in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19,  [SOUND] before being hospitalised and placed in intensive care with Covid-19 on April 5, 13 days later.
4. Nov, 5 2020: Johnston orders the second national lockdown, [SOUND] before unlocking his flat and organising a party with his mates on November 13, 8 days later.
5. June 12, 2022: Boris sets June the 21 as the date for England’s cautious but irreversible lifting of covid restrictions, [SOUND] before reversing the decision to push the date back until July 19, 29 days later.

But despite these achievements, many INNformation were collectively outraged when Johnson insisted people resume taking responsibility for themselves, after reaching high rates of Covid jabs and 565 days after the start of the pandemic. VID: People Complaining. It was ultimately a sad demise for the jolly english gentleman who set new standards for young people aspiring to become PM, even if they shouldn’t. Johnson’s replacement has yet to be determined, but will likely be a choice between former chartered accountant Liz Truss, and former hedge fund manager Rishi Sunak. And with candidates as interesting as that, the good times are sure to continue.