The party that brought down a parliament?
A new poll has found that the majority of the British public think that Boris Johnson should resign as prime minister, in the aftermath of the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.
The snap poll, from Opinium, found that 53 per cent of those asked believed that the prime minister should resign from his position, with just 28 per cent saying he should remain as leader of the country.
The poll also found that 35 per cent of those who voted Tory at the last election now think Johnson should resign.
🚨SNAP POLL🚨
For the first time, a majority of the public think the Prime Minister should resign.
Do you think Boris Johnson…?
Should resign as leader 53% (+5)
Should remain as leader 28% (-2)35% of those who voted Tory at the last election now think the PM should go. pic.twitter.com/WpKhRBWO6L
— Opinium (@OpiniumResearch) December 8, 2021
It comes as fallout continues from the allegations that conservatives held a Christmas party at Downing Street in December last year, when the country was in the grips of a third wave of infections and a national lockdown.
The Opinium poll also found that fewer than one in 10 people believe a party didn’t take place on December 18 last year, with almost two-thirds of respondents thinking one did take place.
65% think that Covid rules were not followed, including 52% of Conservative voters and 82% of Labour voters.
Just 12% think the rules were followed. pic.twitter.com/EjvtNwB1tT
— Opinium (@OpiniumResearch) December 8, 2021
Just 12 per cent believe the prime minister is telling the truth about what happened in Downing Street last December and 58 per cent of people think those who attended the party should resign.
On Wednesday afternoon, Allegra Stratton resigned from her role as a government advisor after damning footage emerged of her and other government advisors laughing and joking about the party in a briefing rehearsal just four days after it took place.
The poll results echo sentiments from the SNP and their leader Ian Blackford who called for the PM to resign at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday December 8.
At PMQs, Johnson apologised for the scandal but maintained that as far as he was aware, a party hadn’t taken place. He added that he was ‘furious’ at the footage which ITV got hold of Tuesday.
Related links:
- ITV News’ intro to Downing Street Christmas party clip is absolutely brutal
- Gary Neville says it’s time to get Boris Johnson out of No.10 after Christmas party lies
- BBC empty chairs health secretary who quit interviews after leaked Christmas party clip
