Boris Johnson, British prime minister, stated that despite his defeat in the fight against his party, the “herd instinct” is powerful, and that when the herd moves, it also moves. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was thus venting his anger at the premature fall of his political project due to the bitter revolt by the conservative parliamentary group against him apparent lack of leadership skills. This revolt culminated in July 7.
Johnson had to resign as Tory leader and the Government of the United Kingdom’s leader in the middle of his first legislative session after losing the confidence of the majority of the 358 members of the House of Commons of Parliament of Westminster. Johnson is the latest conservative leader to lose the helm in the “Darwinian” system of renewal of “leaders equally dedicated to holding the reins in this country’s difficult times”, as he said in his resignation and farewell message. He delivered it opposite Downing Street.
Others simply refer to it as the Conservatives’ survival instinct. It kicks in when MPs feel their seats are at risk. The party suffered extraordinary electoral losses under Johnson’s leadership in recent years, even in contexts that were held in the middle. Johnson’s outgoing president mentioned that the “herd instinct” had already caused havoc on his predecessors.
In June 2019, Theresa May was defeated by the last wave of eurosceptic rams. Johnson led the rebellion from his position as foreign secretary, and later from the rear of the Conservative caucuses in Westminster. The now-decapitated leader of the party gave oxygen to the hard group of the party after he resigned from the Executive in July 2012. This was contrary to European Union boycotts of the first Brexit agreement. Johnson was supported by the same group of eurosceptics who replaced him.
David Cameron did not fulfill the electoral mandate he won in 2015 by an absolute majority. This was contrary to almost all predictions. Although his voluntary resignation as leader of government and head of government was in this case voluntary, the trend towards decline was fundamentally due the ultra-anti-community tendencies of the British right. Cameron was determined to end the migration of conservative voters and affiliates towards the ultra-eurosceptic and nationalist UKIP formation of Nigel Farage. He agreed to call an EU referendum. Cameron took this for granted. After accepting defeat of the 2016 no EU referendum, Cameron blew his horn and returned to 10 Downing Street, while he was still in front of television cameras.
John Major was defeated by Tony Blair’s New Labor in 1997’s parliamentary elections. After nearly twenty years of Conservative government, his defeat was likely inevitable. However, the Eurosceptic “bastards”, as the prime minister called opponents of the Maastricht deal concessions, ruined his political career. The party was in shambles for the next ten years.
Margaret Thatcher won three elections for the Conservatives in 1979, 1983, and 1987. However, the cabinet didn’t hesitate to take action against the chief and prime minster when it felt that its members were in danger of losing the election. In a similar move to the one seen at Downing Street this week, Johnson was persuaded by ministers to resign. Johnson chose to delay his political death. He hopes to remain in power until the fall, to avoid the same tears as the Iron Lady when she left Downing Street on November 29, 1990.
