It was difficult to find any Boris Johnson supporters on the streets of Bristol today, or people who were willing to admit support for a Prime Minister who has now lost the support of many of his own Conservative MPs. Cabinet members, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid resigned from their roles and resignations have since been coming in thick and fast.
With Labour winning all four Bristol constituencies in the 2019 General Election, it could be argued that the majority of Bristolians never supported the PM's Government in the first place. But when we spoke to people on the streets of Bristol today, even Tory supporters expressed that they have also lost faith in Boris.
For others, the real issue goes beyond the 'Partygate' scandal. The cost of living crisis was mentioned as well as a stream of scandals as another reason for not only the resignation of PM Johnson but for a change of government entirely and a general election.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson face increasing pressure to resign-live updates
Speaking at lunch time today Marley, from Totterdown, said he thinks Boris should go - but the only way his resignation would make a difference would be with a General Election, which he thinks is unlikely. Marley said: “I think he should definitely resign but I don’t think it will change anything.
“We’ve had twelve years of Tories in power and I don’t think they’ve done anything that’s benefitted ordinary working class people. The only way to do that is to have a General Election.
“I don’t think they’ll do that. I don’t think you can trust a Tory to do anything anyway.”
Emmanuela also echoed a similar opinion. She said: “I think with the cost of living crisis it’s just been really difficult. I think we need a change of leadership and a General Election.”
Elliot also thinks the Prime Minister needs to resign. He said: “I don’t understand why he doesn’t resign already. Half of his MPs basically don’t want him and it’s just been scandal after scandal.
“I don’t think he’s done anything. He’s just a populist, that’s his whole game.”
Jenna, who lives in Easton and has never been a Tory supporter, said that it’s not simply a case of disagreeing with his policies but the fact that he has become a national "embarrassment". Jenna said: “He should have resigned months ago.
“He’s extremely unprofessional and doesn’t seem to have any standards, ethics or integrity. I don’t agree with his politics anyway but he’s been a bit of an embarrassment really over the last few months.
“It’s just a really bizarre situation when even your own party is telling you that you’ve got to go. Why would you still think it’s okay to cling on?
“He’s an embarrassment to us as a country.”
We also spoke to several Conservative voters today in Bristol city centre who think it’s time for Boris to go.
Henry Keeys from Southville, who works in recruitment, said: “I’ve been a Tory voter for a lot of my life but unfortunately I think he’s lost all credibility, in the party but also with the public. It feels like he’s clinging onto power for his own sake rather than the good of the country.”
Dave and Lynn, who were enjoying the sun while waiting for their show in the Hippodrome to start, had both been loyal Boris supporters up until recently but now they think he needs to step down for the integrity of the party. Dave said: “I have been quite a supporter of Boris and I have been historically Tory up until these recent concerns about him.
“I voted for him and I think he did a really good job through Covid but I think he’s got to the stage now where he needs to resign. There’s so much coming out of the woodwork now and all of his Cabinet have obviously lost faith in him.
“I think the right thing for the sake of the Tory Party would be to step down.” Lynn agreed and added: “He should be looking at what the public wants and just being an honest person.”
Although there was one gentleman who said he is still a Boris supporter despite the recent scandals, he didn’t stop to talk but instead decided that his unpopular opinion wasn’t one that anyone would want to hear and rushed off before giving his name.
However, Chester, who lives in Bristol City centre and describes himself as a centrist, does not think it’s fair that Boris Johnson is being singled out and believes that 'Partygate' is a distraction from the real issues of record level inflation and fears of an incoming recession. Chester said: “All these MPs were at these parties from both sides. I don’t really think it’s fair that he should step down because of that, they should all take equal responsibility.
“I think they should all be fined and there should be a public enquiry into the fact that they all did it, not just Boris Johnson. With Rishi Sunak stepping down I actually think it’s a good thing because his policies aren’t very good; he’s just a businessman who’s the son of a rich man.
“He needs to get an economist who specialises in recessions and inflation. I don’t think any of the political parties have any policies that can fix the country because they’re all invested in the status quo.
“They’re like a global aristocracy and they’ve all got these vested interests through the media companies pulling this propaganda of saying we should keep everything the way it is.”
Speaking earlier today Boris Johnson ruled out calling for a snap general election, telling the Liaison Committee that the earliest he can see for one is 2024. The Prime Minister said “of course, I rule it out”, before adding: “The earliest date that I can see for a general election is two years from now or 2024, I think it is the most likely date for the next election.
“We have a huge amount to deliver. We are going to get on and do it.”
Let us know what YOU think in the comments section. Should Boris stay? Does there need to be a General Election and if Boris did go, who do you feel should replace him?
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