The departures appear to have been prompted by the hiring and handling of former deputy chief Chris Pincher, who resigned after being accused of groping two men at a private members’ club in London last week. Politics Hub: More resignations to start day as pressure mounts on PM – live updates Let’s take a look at their resignation letters and see in their own words why they left their roles. Sajid Javid First off the block was now-former health secretary Sajid Javid – the second time he has resigned from a Johnson cabinet post, having left the Treasury in 2020. In his letter to the prime minister he said it was a “privilege” to do the job “at such a critical time for our country”. But he continued: “It is with great regret that I have to tell you that I can no longer, in good conscience, continue to serve in this government. Mr Javid added: “Conservatives at their best are seen as tough decision-makers, driven by strong values. We may not have always been popular, but we were capable of acting in the national interest. “Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, the public is now concluding that we are neither. Last month’s confidence vote showed that a large number of our colleagues agree. It was a moment of humility, restraint and a new direction. “I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and therefore you have lost my trust as well.” Rishi Sunak The next exit was an even bigger shock as Rishi Sunak confirmed on Twitter that he was leaving the No 11. After expressing his “regret” and what a “tremendous privilege” it was to do the job, he wrote: “Leaving a ministerial post is a serious matter at any time. “For me to step down as chancellor while the world is suffering the economic consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other serious challenges is a decision I did not take lightly. “However, people rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognize that this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth striving for and that is why I am stepping down.” Mr Sunak said he was “loyal” to the Prime Minister, saying: “That’s why I’ve always tried to compromise to achieve the things you want to achieve. On those occasions when I have disagreed with you privately, I have supported you publicly.” But, he adds: “I firmly believe that the public is ready to hear this truth. Our people know that if something is too good to be true, then it is not true. They must know that while there is a path to a better future, it’s not easy. “In preparation for our proposed joint speech on the economy next week, it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally very different.” Andrew Murison The third member of the government to resign was the prime minister’s trade envoy to Morocco, Andrew Murrison. In his remarks, he pointed to another letter – that from Lord MacDonald, which accused Number 10 of feeding false lines to the press about what Mr Johnson knew about the behavior of his former deputy chief whip. Mr Murrison said it was “the last straw in the rolling chaos of the last six months”, adding: “Others have to balance, as best they can, their ongoing concern for your protection with their own sense of decency , honor and integrity, but I can’t anymore. And he concluded his letter by saying: “Your position has become irretrievable. I strongly urge you to resign.” I would be Afolami For the Conservative Party deputy leader, it wasn’t a letter that revealed his intentions – it was a TV interview. When asked for his thoughts on the Chris Pincher scandal, Bim Afolami told Talk TV live on air: “You should resign.” He said he “cannot serve under the Prime Minister” as he “lost confidence in the people”, adding: “The Prime Minister asked for the confidence [vote] to be given time to restore that trust, and I took it as did many others in the party. “But I think it’s becoming clear, especially after losing the support of two of his closest colleagues in the party, that it’s time for him to step down.” Read more: The dark looming election that could be the key to ousting Johnson Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:03 “Easy to leave” says the new chancellor Jonathan Gullis A Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) in the Northern Ireland Office has joined the growing ranks by also submitting his resignation. Jonathan Gullis actually spends much of his letter praising the government’s work, including the Prime Minister’s personal support of his local constituents. But he adds: “I feel that for too long we’ve been more focused on dealing with our reputational damage rather than delivering for the people of this country and spreading opportunities for everyone, which is why I came into politics. “For this reason I can no longer serve as a member of your government.” Saqib Bhatti The second PPS to resign was Saqib Bhatti, who had been a junior minister in the Ministry of Health and Social Care. He said he would “always be proud of the fact that we navigated the country through its darkest hour” during the pandemic and said he was “grateful” for Mr Johnson’s “leadership”. But in a change of tone, Mr Bhatti wrote: “The Conservative and Unionist Party has always been the party of integrity and honour. I believe that standards in public life are of the utmost importance and the events of recent months have undermined public confidence in all of us. “I have been dealing with these issues for some time and my conscience will not allow me to continue to support this administration. For this reason I must tender my resignation.” Nicola Richards Another PPS from the transport department joined the walkout, with Nicola Richards saying it was “no longer feasible” for her to carry out the role. “At a time when my constituents are concerned about the cost of living and I am doing everything I can to support them, I cannot bring myself to serve as PPS in the current circumstances where the focus is distorted by poor judgment that I do not want to socialize,” he wrote. Ms Richard also said she was “loyal to the Conservative Party” but added that “at the moment she is unrecognizable to me – I think something has to change”. Read more: Who stays, who goes, who stays silent? Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:25 Ministers resigned: Timeline Virginia Crosby Then another PPS went, but this time from the Wales Office and with a humiliating letter. Virginia Crosby was quick to get to the heart of the matter, saying: “Sadly, I am forced to say that the huge number of allegations of impropriety and illegality – many of which have focused on Downing Street and your Prime Ministership – are quite simple. rendering your position untenable’. He said the prime minister risked “irreversibly damaging” the party if he remained, saying Johnson was “ill-advised or unable to change or reform the dysfunctional operation at the center of the government you lead”. Ms Crosbie praised the government’s “significant achievements” on Brexit, the pandemic and the situation in Ukraine, but concluded that they “continue to be overshadowed by the simple calculation that I think the country has made – that you cannot trust you truly”. He added: “This can never be a position for anyone in public life to occupy, let alone a prime minister. “The party I love, and this government, now face constant distraction, scandal and allegations of a cover-up.” Theo Clarke The next trade envoy to complete their ministerial trip was Theo Clarke, who stepped down from her role in liaison with Kenya. She said she had personally supported the prime minister over the years, campaigning to become mayor of London, but “as one of the party’s new female MPs and a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, I take allegations of sexual abuse very seriously.” . . And he continued: “To know that you chose to elevate a colleague [Pincher] of a pastoral care position for MPs whilst having full knowledge of his wrongdoings shows a serious lack of judgment and care for your parliamentary party. “I was shocked to see colleagues defending the government with assurances that turned out to be false – this is not how any responsible government should act.” Alex Kimolia As Tuesday drew to a close, Solicitor General Alex Chalk also sent his letter. He said being in government meant he had to “accept the task of arguing for difficult or even unpopular policy positions where it serves the wider national interest”, but added: “It cannot be extended to defending the indefensible”. He said the “cumulative effect” of several scandals, including the handling of Mr Pincher’s case and Owen Patterson’s lobbying, was that “public confidence in Number 10’s ability to uphold the standards of honesty expected of a British government has broken beyond repair. below”. Mr Chalk added: “I am sorry to share this crisis. This comes at a time of intense challenge for our country when trust in government has rarely been more important. I am afraid the time has come for new leadership.” Laura Trott As the sun rose on a new day, more letters were to come for Mr Johnson and first up was another metaphorical PPS, Laura Trott. Posting a short statement on her Facebook page, the MP said: “Trust in politics is – and always should be – of the utmost importance, but unfortunately in recent months that has been lost.” She also thanked local residents who wrote to her “expressing [their] opinions,” and said it played a role in her decision. Will Quince While many…
title: “Why Ministers Quit Boris Johnson S Government In Their Own Words Political News " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Patricia Richardson”
The departures were prompted by the hiring and handling of former deputy chief Chris Pincher, who resigned after being accused of groping two men at a private members’ club in London last week. Politics Hub: More resignations to start day as pressure mounts on PM – live updates Sky News takes a look at a selection of resignation letters and see in their own words why they left their roles. Sajid Javid First off the block was now-former health secretary Sajid Javid – the second time he has resigned from a Johnson cabinet post, having left the Treasury in 2020. In his letter to the prime minister he said it was a “privilege” to do the job “at such a critical time for our country”, but added: “It is with great regret that I must tell you that I can no longer, in good conscience, continue to serve in this government. “Conservatives at their best are seen as hard-nosed decision makers, driven by strong values. We may not have always been popular, but we were capable of acting in the national interest. “Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, the public is now concluding that we are neither. Last month’s confidence vote showed that a large number of our colleagues agree. It was a moment of humility, restraint and a new direction. “I regret to say, however, that it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership – and therefore you have lost my trust as well.” Rishi Sunak The next exit was an even bigger shock as Rishi Sunak confirmed on Twitter that he was leaving Number 11. “Resignation from ministerial office is a serious matter at any time,” he wrote. “For me to step down as chancellor while the world is suffering the economic consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other serious challenges is a decision I did not take lightly. “However, people rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously. I recognize that this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth striving for and that is why I am stepping down.” Mr Sunak said he was “loyal” to the Prime Minister, saying: “That’s why I’ve always tried to compromise to achieve the things you want to achieve. On those occasions when I have disagreed with you privately, I have supported you publicly.” But, he adds: “I firmly believe that the public is ready to hear this truth. Our people know that if something is too good to be true, then it is not true. They must know that while there is a path to a better future, it’s not easy. “In preparation for our proposed joint speech on the economy next week, it has become clear to me that our approaches are fundamentally very different.” Andrew Murison The Prime Minister’s trade envoy to Morocco, Andrew Murrison, pointed to another letter in his remarks – that from Lord McDonald, which accused Number 10 of feeding false lines to the press about what Mr Johnson knew about the former deputy leader’s conduct of the whip. Mr Murrison said it was “the last straw in the rolling chaos of the last six months”, adding: “Others have to balance, as best they can, their ongoing concern for your protection with their own sense of decency , honor and integrity, but I can’t anymore. And he concluded his letter by saying: “Your position has become irretrievable. I strongly urge you to resign.” Read more: Who stays, who goes, who stays silent? Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:25 Ministers resigned: Timeline Virginia Crosby One of the Parliamentary Private Secretaries who quit was Virginia Crosby, who had a role in the Wales Office and left with a humiliating letter. He soon got to the heart of the matter, saying: “Unfortunately, I am forced to say that the sheer number of allegations of impropriety and illegality – many of which have focused on Downing Street and your Prime Ministership – make your position quite simply untenable.” He said the prime minister risked “irreversibly damaging” the party if he remained, saying Johnson was “ill-advised or unable to change or reform the dysfunctional operation at the center of the government you lead”. Ms Crosbie praised the government’s “significant achievements” on Brexit, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, but concluded that they “continue to be overshadowed by the simple calculation that I think the country has made – that it cannot trust you to tell the truth.” He added: “This can never be a position for anyone in public life to occupy, let alone a prime minister. “The party I love, and this government, now face constant distraction, scandal and allegations of a cover-up.” Theo Clarke Another trade envoy to end their ministerial trip was Theo Clarke, who stepped down from her role in collaboration with Kenya. She said she had personally supported the prime minister over the years, campaigning to become mayor of London, but “as one of the party’s new female MPs and a member of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, I take allegations of sexual abuse very seriously.” . . And he continued: “To know that you chose to elevate a colleague [Pincher] of a pastoral care position for MPs whilst having full knowledge of his wrongdoings shows a serious lack of judgment and care for your parliamentary party. “I was shocked to see colleagues defending the government with assurances that turned out to be false – this is not how any responsible government should act.” Read more: The highs and lows of Boris Johnson’s time in power Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:03 “Easy to leave” says the new chancellor Alex Kimolia General counsel Alex Chalk also submitted his resignation letter late Tuesday. He said being in government meant he had to “accept the task of arguing for difficult or even unpopular policy positions where it serves the wider national interest”, but added: “It cannot be extended to defending the indefensible”. He said the “cumulative effect” of several scandals, including the handling of the Mr Pincher and Owen Paterson case, was that “public confidence in Number 10’s ability to uphold the standards of honesty expected of a British government has been irreparably broken. below”. Mr Chalk added: “I am sorry to share this crisis. This comes at a time of intense challenge for our country when trust in government has rarely been more important. I am afraid the time has come for new leadership.” Will Quince While many outside the Westminster bubble may not have heard of Will Queens before this week, his name came out after he appeared on air on Monday, saying he had been given “categorical assurance” by Number 10 that the prime minister did not know. specific charges against Chris Pincher. As we later discovered, this was not quite accurate. Posting his letter on Twitter, Mr Quince said the Prime Minister had offered him a “sincere apology” for the update “which we now know is inaccurate”. But he added: “It is with great sadness and regret that I feel I have no choice but to tender my resignation … as I have accepted and repeated these assurances in good faith.” Felicity Buchan A short but strong letter from PPS to Department for Business, Felicity Buchan. He says while it has been a “great honour” to serve, “I am afraid you have lost the confidence of my constituents and me,” adding: “The current situation is unacceptable.” Ms Buchan concludes: “I believe passionately in Conservative values and I want to ensure that we deliver Conservative policies without distraction. This requires new leadership and it requires a new vision for the country.” Victoria Atkins Less than 30 minutes before Mr Johnson was due to face Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Victoria Atkins announced her resignation. The justice minister posted on Instagram that values including “integrity, decency, respect and professionalism should matter” but had been “broken” under the prime minister’s leadership. He attacked Mr Queens’ “occasional mistreatment” (see above) and the “revelations” from Lord MacDonald’s letter highlighted “how far your government has fallen from these ideals”. Joe Churchill Environment Secretary Jo Churchill says she resigned her post “with a heavy heart” – and a damning turn of phrase. In a fairly direct jab at the Prime Minister, he said: “Recent events have shown that integrity, ability and judgment are all essential to the role of Prime Minister, while cynical self-serving is bound to have its limitations. “Our beloved country faces an uncertain future and strong headwinds, it needs a clear, selfless vision. The country and the party deserve better.”
