Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid’s resignations threaten UK PM Boris Johnson’s tenure

Tory leaders Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid’s resignations have shook UK PM Boris Johnson’s office. On July 5, Sunak, serving as the Chancellor, and Javid, serving as the Health Secretary, tendered their resignations citing the incompetency of the Boris government as the reason. 

The PM has been facing a slew of emergencies in his government, following unending scandals and controversies. It has resulted in criticism stemming not just from the opposition, but also from his cabinet. He just recently survived a no-confidence motion in the Parliament as well.

The Sunak and Javid saga: Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid were known as the cheerleaders of the Boris government. However, over the past few weeks, differences between the leaders and Boris Johnson had become stark. For example, Sunak and Javid had both rallied for higher tax cuts as the cost of living crisis subdued Brits. 

What did they say? In his resignation letter, Sunak said that he expected the government to conduct itself “properly, competently and seriously”. He said that the lack of these principles is what made him resign, in order to support these standards. 

The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously.

I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.

My letter to the Prime Minister below. pic.twitter.com/vZ1APB1ik1

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) July 5, 2022

He also addressed Boris Johnson directly saying that he always backed him as the leader and “tried to compromise in order to deliver the things you want to achieve”. He also said that on occasions where he disagreed with him privately, he still supported him publicly. 

Sunak said that it became clear to him that they cannot continue in the arrangement as he prepared for their joint speech on the economy next week and realised that their “approaches are fundamentally too different”.

Health Secretary Javid said, “I can no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this government. I am instinctively a team player but the British people also rightly expect integrity from their government.”

I have spoken to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Secretary of State for Health & Social Care.

It has been an enormous privilege to serve in this role, but I regret that I can no longer continue in good conscience. pic.twitter.com/d5RBFGPqXp

— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) July 5, 2022

Addressing Boris Johnson, Javid said, “The tone you set as a leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country… in the current circumstances, the public are concluding that we are now neither (decision-makers and acting in the national interest)… it is clear to me that this situation will not change under your leadership - and you have therefore lost my confidence too.”

The controversies: The recent scandal to have embroiled the UK Prime Minister is the case of an MP’s appointment to an office. The said MP, Chris Pincher, who was appointed to the role of deputy chief whip earlier this year, had several sexual assault cases filed against him. Boris Johnson recently apologised for the MP’s appointment saying that it was a “bad mistake”. His apology came after a series of changing statements on the matter. Boris had also claimed several times that he was unaware of Pincher’s conduct. 

Adding to the burn was MP Simon McDonald’s revelation that he had already discussed Pincher’s conduct with the relevant persons in the cabinet way back in 2019 and an investigation was also held in the matter. 

This morning I have written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards - because No 10 keep changing their story and are still not telling the truth. pic.twitter.com/vln9FU4V50

— Simon McDonald (@SimonMcDonaldUK) July 5, 2022

Chris Pincher resigned following an uproar last week. 

Before the Pincher controversy, Johnson was embroiled in the lockdown party scandal, which earned him the title of being the only serving UK PM to have been hit with a fine. 

Sunak and Javid’s resignations are in an effort of removing Boris Johnson as the PM. Sunak and Javid want to set an example for others to follow. However, Boris also enjoys enough support for now. He’s already replaced Sunak and Javid’s roles with others. But a rebellion from members at the lower levels are expected.