So did they, in fact, get “away with” it? Sue Gray’s final report into alleged gatherings on government premises during Covid restrictions, also known as partygate, is a damning indictment of Boris Johnson’s leadership.
The Prime Minister’s excuses continue to change. From there were no parties to they only become parties when he left and even that leaving parties were fine after all. There was also outright confusion — the Prime Minister claimed the so-called Abba party in the Downing Street flat had been “extensively investigated” when in fact Gray explicitly says it wasn’t.
The report, published days after the Metropolitan Police ended their investigation with 126 fixed penalty notices, marks a low point in British politics. There has long been plenty of cynicism surrounding our politicians. But the idea of Number 10 staff, including the Prime Minister, holding parties while telling the rest of the country to stay at home, preventing them from even seeing dying loved ones, can lay a stake to being the nadir.
Despite this, Johnson might reasonably think he has got off lightly. There was little groundswell of backbench MPs, outside of the “usual suspects”, openly calling for his removal on the floor of the House of Commons.
Some are now saying they want to wait until the Privileges Committee investigation into whether the Prime Minister deliberately misled Parliament before taking further steps. It appears his party has made its choice that Johnson remains the best person to lead the country and the Conservative Party into the next election. Leaving it to the British public to decide is not a risk-free decision.
Crisis will cost dearly
For the millions of people worrying every day about how they will pay their energy bills or buy food, it does not matter why the Government is helping them. In moments of crisis, motivations often take a back seat.
Yet the British people aren’t so credulous not to suspect a link between the publication of the highly critical Gray report and a multi-billion-pound support package.
The Standard has consistently called for more help for those struggling with soaring fuel costs and stagnant wages. It was never politically or economically feasible for the Prime Minister and his Chancellor to hold off in providing support until the autumn. People need it now, as does our fragile economic recovery.
The £15 billion package is more than some anticipated, including the £200 discount being turned into a £400 grant. While the focus yesterday was on partygate, it is the cost of living crisis that will ultimately determine the Government’s fate. Few leaders win re-election if they have presided over a collapse in living standards.
All hail Dippy
Toddlers, parents and palaeontologists rejoice! Dippy is back. The 26-metre long replica diplodocus was for more than a century perhaps the star attraction at the Natural History Museum before it was dismantled in 2017 to embark on a UK-wide tour.
Dippy rarely fails to inspire a sense of awe among visitors of any age. It is good to have it back.
