United Kingdom: It was the moment in the UK Conservative Party leadership election that stood out. During a live debate, the rest of the candidates were asked to show their support for Boris Johnson by raising their hands.
Despite the fact that most of them have served in his government over the past three years, Johnson's replacement candidates are trying to distance themselves from the scandal-ridden politician who has resigned as party leader. , but will continue to serve as Prime Minister for some. more weeks.
on the other hand Johnson has disappeared from sight. In light of the 40 °C (104 °F) heat wave in the UK, he has not attended any government emergency meetings.
Johnson visited the Royal Air Force Base on Friday and flew in a Typhoon fighter jet, according to a Top Gun-inspired video released by Johnson's office. The prime minister's official country estate, Checkers, where he spent the weekend, hosted barbecue farewells for friends and staff.
On Monday, Johnson made his last appearance in parliament for a trust vote called by the government, mainly to give Johnson a chance to highlight his achievements.
Johnson claimed that during his "three dynamic and exhilarating years in the cockpit", the British government "removed adversity on a scale we haven't seen in centuries" in the form of the coronavirus pandemic. Opposition MPs ridiculed the statement.
Labor Party leader Keir Starmer called Johnson "a vindictive man" at 10 Downing Street.
He told reporters during a visit to a major London bank: "For many people, it's going to be a real struggle today and tomorrow in the heat, and they're looking at a prime minister who basically checks out. So he's not really doing anything."
"The circus of the leadership race has completely distorted your cabinet," said the speaker.
Steven Fielding, a political history professor at the University of Nottingham, compared Johnson to "a depressed teenager in the bedroom, doing whatever he wants and yelling at his parents all the time".
His potential successors are battling amongst themselves, trying to win over Conservative Party members by restoring political confidence and defeating the opposition Labor Party in an upcoming election scheduled for 2024.
As Conservative lawmakers held another round of elimination ballots on Monday, the field of candidates was reduced from five to four. One legislator, Tom Tugendhat, dropped out of the race after receiving the fewest votes.
British govt wins confidence vote in parliament
