Boris Johnson’s move to lift COVID-19 restrictions may put an end to pandemic life, but will it also be the end of his political career?

GettyImages

On January 19th, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the removal of coronavirus restrictions starting from January 27th in the UK. This controversial and highly eventful decision occurs amid a larger political backdrop of demands for Johnson to resign due to multiple reports of rule-breaking parties occurring at his residence and office. 

Johnson announced to Parliament that as of the 27th of January, “Plan B” restrictions which were implemented due to the Omicron wave would be abandoned. This included the removal of major rules Brits have been living with for the majority of the pandemic such as mask-wearing, following the work at home order, and the use of COVID passports. Johnson proclaimed that the recently shortened self-quarantine requirement of five days  that must be followed when someone tests positive would not be reinstated on when it expires March 24.  

The Prime Minister supported his decision with scientific evidence, stating that hospitalizations have decreased to less than 2,000 a day. The beginning of January averaged 200,000 cases a week, but as of the end of the month, the UK observed around 100,000 cases per week. 

Alongside citing empirical evidence during his explanation to parliament, Johnson proclaimed he was attempting to “restore England’s ‘ancient liberties,’ a reference to the country’s deep-rooted tradition of individual freedoms.” He added that the numbers illustrate over and over that his “government got the toughest decisions right”, citing himself as the reason Brits were able to enjoy a life without strict restrictions as their European neighbors were. These comments have clear political implications- Johnson was clearly trying to appeal to his conservative base.

As a last ditch attempt to turn the page on the Downing Street party rumors, events that occurred during the pandemic while Britons lived under COVID restrictions which banned these and other similar gatherings. 

Johnson is failing to defend his argument that he did not deceive Parliament, an action that justifies resignation. He claimed to be under the impression that the parties were “work events''; while the Queen mourned the death of her husband, Prince Phillip, Johnson attended a party on the eve of Phillip’s funeral. Johnson’s apologies to the Queen were followed by an offer from Downing Street to relax COVID measures exceptionally for her husband's funeral. Reportedly the Queen declined because she believed it would be unfair. Her actions speak louder than words: even the monarch believes the rules that apply to the nation apply to her and her elevated status does not mean the rules should change for her circumstances. 

Scientists are also expressing criticism towards Johnson’s announcement of lifting restrictions. Britain is responsible for 152,872 reported deaths, the seventh-highest globally during the pandemic. Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, expressed that if behavior returns to normal quickly, it is likely cases will stop falling at the rate they currently are. He expressed a gradual easing of restrictions is a safer route to adopt. 

Minutes before Johnson’s announcement on the 19th of January, Christian Wakeford a conservative close to Johnson, revealed he would be joining the Labor party. He cited Johnson’s management of the party rumors as a major reason for his decision: “Both you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of providing the leadership and government this country deserves.” Mr. Wakeford announced he had also confirmed he submitted a letter calling for a no-confidence vote. 

With the evidence seemingly stacking up against the Prime Minister, other members of Parliament are beginning to lean towards a vote of no-confidence. The process is confidential, but 10 lawmakers who won their places in government during Johnson’s 2019 victory have revealed they will call for a vote. Many others have begun to denounce Johnson publicly: Conservative lawmaker David Davis addressed the Prime Minister in Parliament by reusing an infamous quote that pushed Neville Chamberlain to resign in the 1940’s -  “In the name of God, go.” 

Johnson has made controversial choices in the past which makes this not the first time he faces political upheaval. The accumulation of his careless actions during the pandemic has deeply offended and disappointed Britons, with this specific event seeming to be the tipping point, evidenced by his popularity ratings continuing to decrease. Robert Ford, professor of political science at the University of Manchester, put into perspective how unfavorable Johnson currently is in the public eye: “there are more people who believe the moon landings were faked than believe what Johnson has to say about this scandal.” Could Johnson ever recover from this political blow?

Johnson’s desperate attempts to clean up his reputational mess seem to be failing to address the qualms of Britons. While his decisions regarding the lifting of COVID restrictions fail his duty to their health, Johnson’s actions and his staffers’ reactions prove how the pandemic’s impacts go far beyond a question of health and science to one of the integrity of political leaders and institutions.