Since becoming prime minister in late July, virtually everything he asked parliamentarians to support was rejected.
His tenure shaky, he may one day be remembered as Britain’s most unpopular PM — pushing all-out for what most Brits and majority parliamentarians oppose, a no-deal Brexit, despite its disruptiveness if happens.
He may end up being Britain’s shortest ever serving PM, the current record held by George Canning — in office from April 12, 1827 until his death on August 8, 119 days later.
On July 24, Johnson took office. His unparalleled parliamentary defeats, at least in modern times, may force his resignation or risk being voted out of office by parliamentarians or the electorate if snap elections are held in November which seems likely.
A self-promoting serial liar, an embarrassment to the office he holds, a Trump clone with an English accent, he’s a caricature of what leadership is supposed to be.
As London Telegraph’s political columnist in the mid-1990s, his reporting lacked credibility.
According to one critic, “Boris told such dreadful lies.” Another called him “a caricature” of what journalism is supposed to be.
He operated the same way in parliament as an MP, as London mayor, foreign secretary and now prime minister.
In office less than two months, he lost every no-deal Brexit/snap election vote, winning no support from majority MPs, including from some fellow Tories, expelling 21 party members for opposing his agenda, losing a parliamentary majority — maybe his job as PM after the body reconvenes.
The London Guardian said he lost six votes in six days ahead of proroguing parliament on Monday, suspending it for five weeks until October 14.
On Monday, Speaker John Bercow, stepping down from his post on October 31, said
“this is not a standard or normal prorogation. (It’s) an act of executive fiat.”
Others called his aim to ram through a no-deal Brexit a coup attempt. On Monday, legislation blocking a no-deal Brexit on October 31 became the law of the land.
MPs blocked another attempt for snap elections Johnson called for next month. With parliament suspended, it can’t be held until at least mid-November, perhaps coming before December 1, maybe Johnson’s coup de grace when votes are tallied — even if Tories retain power.
No majority for a no-deal Brexit exists, what Johnson pledged to deliver. Multiple parliamentary defeats and no triumphs left his tenure hanging by a thread, perhaps ending after MPs return if snap elections are held in November.
On Sunday, the Financial Times slammed Johnson, headlining: “A zombie government means an election must be held,” saying:
Johnson created a mess.
His “government is in meltdown. Through blunder and bullying, it has thrown away its majority and cannot govern,” adding:
“The prime minister has lost the political support of two dozen of the most distinguished Tories, including this weekend another cabinet minister (and) his own brother.”
If voters don’t oust him in snap elections, perhaps a parliamentary motion of no confidence will end his disastrous tenure.
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Award-winning author Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at [email protected]. He is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG)
His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.”
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html
Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.
