Boris Johnson's government has been rocked by a wave of resignations, beginning on Tuesday (July 5) night.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid was the first to go, stating that he could no longer support the Prime Minister, and was quickly followed by Chancellor Rishi Sunak. Their resignations came after Mr Johnson's handling of the row over former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher was called into question.
The Prime Minister had to apologise for appointing Mr Pincher to a government role despite being aware of a previous complaint made against him. Mr Pincher quit as deputy chief whip last week following claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club, but Mr Johnson was told about allegations against him as far back as 2019.
READ MORE: Night of chaos as ministers resign and PM fights to keep his job
Following the controversy, Mr Javid began a wave of resignations. On Wednesday (July 6) morning, Children's Minister Will Quince became the latest to resign after he repeated assurances over the Chris Pincher scandal which were “found to be inaccurate”.
Growing numbers of political figures from all parties have called on the Prime Minister to quit.
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson tweeted: "This must be the end for Johnson. Whilst the rest of the country is focusing on the Cost of Living, the Tories are dealing with sleaze. We need a general election now to get rid of this immoral government once and for all!". Meanwhile, many MPs from across Merseyside voiced their displeasure with the Prime Minister.
Wavertree MP Paula Barker tweeted: "The end of Johnson as PM is near and is a cause for celebration. However, don't let those who have stood by him for so long get away with moulding a new image for themselves. They are all culpable for dragging the country into the gutter. We need rid of all of them asap."
Birkenhead MP Mick Whitley said: "Boris Johnson is finished. But Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid have stood by the PM as he's lurched from scandal to scandal and inflicted misery on working people. A new leader won't stop the rot at the heart of the Tory party. It's time for a Labour government."
Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool RIverside, said: "This toxic Tory government is falling apart at the seams. While I’m delighted that Boris Johnson is on the ropes and his Cabinet is imploding, it’s sickening to watch those responsible, jump from a sinking ship to save their own skins.
"We cannot forget that those Cabinet members who resigned yesterday after miraculously finding their voices and principles have been responsible for some of the most vile attacks on working class people, trade unionists, refugees, trans people – the list goes on. We now have one super-rich Chancellor being replaced by another. This is not a win for working people – we need a general election and a Labour government and we need it now.
"Teflon-coated Boris keeps coming back like a bad penny. He’s so far survived this round of attacks, but they say a week is a long time in politics. He’s scraping the bottom of the barrel and from where I’m standing, the chorus is pretty deafening. It’s time for him, and his shower of super-rich Tories, to pack up their offices and go."
Alison McGovern suggested that she believes Mr Johnson 's departure from office is inevitable. Replying to actor and comedian Stephen Fry, who asked "He's still Prime Minister?", the Wirral South MP said: "For now". However, Wallasey MP Angela Eagle said that Mr Johnson "will have to be dragged kicking & screaming out of No10"
West Derby MP Ian Byrne made the case for a Labour government, saying: "Whatever falls off the disastrous public school conveyor belt of Tory class & privilege will be another hater of the working class & social justice. They must be turfed out. An opportunity awaits for a radical transformative Labour Government for those brave enough to take it."
At 8.30pm last night, Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson tweeted: "Boris Johnson said he would carry on as Prime Minister until 2030. It’s 20.30 and he’s still Prime Minister. Finally he got something right. #JohnsonMustGo "
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