WalesOnline readers have had their say on the position of Prime Minister Boris Johnson after it emerged the majority of people in Wales think he should resign.
A YouGov poll commissioned by ITV Wales and Cardiff University released over the weekend showed that people in Wales think it is time for Boris Johnson to step down as leader of the country. You can see more on that poll specifically here.
The Prime Minister has come in for staunch criticism in recent weeks after finding himself in hot water over a string of alleged lockdown breaches in Downing Street.
Read more: For more news on politics in Wales visit our politics homepage here
The Met Police is currently investigating 12 parties at Downing Street, with the Prime Minister among those being questioned.
The poll found that with 58% of respondents wanted him to quit, 28% wanted him to remain and the rest were not sure.
But only 10% of Conservative supporters within the poll wanted Mr Johnson to quit - with those supporting opposition parties wanting him out. Of those respondents, 88% of Labour supporters thought he should resign as did 79% of Plaid supporters.
We asked our readers on Facebook whether they thought Boris Johnson should resign, and many came out in support of the Prime Minister.
Pauline Rees said: “No, I’ve not always agreed with things that he has done, but to be honest he’s had a rough time with Brexit, Covid, and now this with Russia. Also his own party turning on him with photos. Yes he did wrong but so did a lot of people.”
Rachel Jenkins agreed with Pauline, saying: “No, I think he’s very good and has had a hard run. It’s not been easy at all, he’s held it together.”
Ceri Smith added: “Absolutely not. I haven’t always agreed with his policies but as a Prime Minister he has had it bloody rough from day one. Let’s see if Mark Drakeford could handle these world situations. I and many people who I have spoken to would not felt [sic] on him at all.”
Jennie Evans called Boris Johnson a “fearless leader” and compared him to Winston Churchill. “You have to be joking," she responded. "A true leader, second only to Churchill, or even equal to. A fearless leader who believes in his causes and goes flat out to uphold them.”
But of course, not everyone agreed - with some saying they felt the Prime Minister could no longer be trusted.
“Yes, he can’t be trusted as his previous lies and deceit have shown and is at present being investigated by Scotland Yard,” said Clive Boon.
Kay Cartwright said: “After all his lies and skulduggery he definitely needs to go. Do we need a PM with his morals? I think not.”
Some said that regardless of opinions on Mr Johnson now is not the time to be asking the question.
Fiona Smith replied: “Don’t be daft, not even Keir Starmer wants that [job] at this time. We all need to stand against Russia and support Ukrainians.”
Others thought Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could help Mr Johnson remain in office.
Steve Arthur said: “Look how history repeats itself. The Falklands saved Thatcher and now Putin’s War is going to save Boris. Of course he should go.”
Wynne Henry added: “This invasion is a get out of jail free card. He’ll never face a no confidence vote now.”
What's your opinion? Let us know in the comments below
A survey of WalesOnline readers last week found a similar result to ITV Wales and Cardiff University's poll, with 55% of those who took the survey believing Mr Johnson should resign. You can read the full results of the WalesOnline survey here.
Dr Jac Larner, from Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre, spoke to ITV News about the findings of the latest poll.
Dr Larner said: "Despite little to no substantive change in vote intention figures, there are two points of note from this latest poll.
"First, the ‘Boris bounce’ that the Conservatives have enjoyed in Wales under Johnson has ended. Conservative polling numbers for the last two polls now closely resemble their position at the tail end of Theresa May’s premiership.
"The Downing Street party scandals, combined with the perception that the Conservatives have not done a good job at responding to the pandemic, has lost the party the support it had gained in Wales since the 2016 EU Referendum.
"Second, Labour’s poll numbers are the highest they have had in two consecutive polls since the latter half of 2018 in Wales. While the regularity and normalcy of Labour leading Welsh polls means that this will likely be met with a shrug, a party in its 23rd year of incumbency maintaining such a substantial lead is remarkable."
On the subject of a majority wanting Boris Johnson to quit, Dr Larner added: "These will be incredibly concerning numbers for the Prime Minister and the Conservative Party in Wales.
"With most of the Welsh public now in favour of Johnson resigning, combined with their poor polling performance, the Conservatives face a tough choice over whether Johnson should remain in office.”
YouGov polled a representative sample of 1,086 Welsh voters, aged 16+, between 25th of February and 1st March for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University.
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