Johnson announced new restrictions last week to limit the spread of the virus as the UK, one of the worst-hit countries in Europe by the pandemic with nearly 146,500 deaths, faces a “strong surge” in cases from Omicron.
According to his government, to guarantee that hospitals are not overwhelmed in the coming weeks, the use of masks indoors, daily tests for contact cases, teleworking and mandatory health passes at large events.
“The government should do what it reasonably believes is right in the best interest of the country. I think these are proportionate measures, coupled with a significant increase in efforts” to offer a third booster shot to all adults before the end of the year, stressed the deputy prime minister, Dominic Raab, to the Sky News channel, discarding further restrictions for the time being.
But these norms do not convince many conservative deputies and some rebel by denouncing their liberticidal character.
“I think all these measures are wrong, they are disproportionate and there is insufficient evidence that they are necessary,” former Brexit minister Steve Baker told the BBC over the weekend.
Some 60 conservatives threaten a rebellion on Tuesday.
With its vast majority in Parliament – 80 seats – and the help of the opposition, the government should get the text approved, but this revolt could not come at a worse time for Johnson.
Two years after his historic electoral victory with the promise of Brexit, the prime minister is seeing his popularity plummet and has faced numerous calls for his resignation since last week, in the wake of a series of scandals.
On Sunday, the Sunday Mirror newspaper published a photo of Johnson participating in an online contest in Downing Street, surrounded by staff, in December 2020, when British people were required to severely limit their social interactions.
The British also blame him for a party that was allegedly held in Downing Street on December 18, 2020, when they themselves were deprived of Christmas celebrations because of the coronavirus.
A leaked video of Johnson’s aides joking about the alleged illegal Christmas party added fuel to the fire.
They also add to a series of accusations of corruption that could lead to a motion of no confidence against Johnson by the Conservative Party.
The prime minister was called to order Thursday over the costly renovation of his official Downing Street residence, with his party fined £ 16,250 ($ 21,500) for failing to declare the full amount of the private donation received to finance the works. .
Johnson also caused outrage by trying to change parliamentary rules to help a Conservative MP, Owen Paterson, convicted of pressuring members of the government to defend two companies for which he was acting as a paid consultant.
Partial legislative sessions are held in England on Thursday to fill the seat of Paterson, who resigned, and these will be highly symbolic.
According to political columnist Robin Pettitt, Johnson – a former London mayor and journalist known for his unconventional style – talent for political escapism could win him out of one or two of these scandals.
But if the accumulation continues, “the Conservative Party has always been very relentless when it comes to throwing out leaders who do not work,” this expert told AFP.
Source From: Ambito
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