“Looks like we got away with it.” The day after a lockdown drink in the garden of Downing Street, Boris Johnson’s private secretary shared his relief with a colleague in an app. Two years later, the report surfaced in Sue Gray’s long-awaited report on “Partygate.” It reads like an admission of guilt in a scandal that has gripped British politics for six months, but the political consequences seem to be not too bad for the time being. The British Prime Minister, who has been held responsible by the rapporteur for the illegal bacchanals, does indeed seem to get away with it.
fine dress
After the report was published on Wednesday, Johnson decided to put on the robes. In the House of Commons he humbly apologized to the House of Representatives, at a press conference he addressed ordinary citizens directly, in the faction room to his party members and in the evening during his audience with the Queen. It seemed to be enough. No rebellion broke out, although he is not out of danger yet. On Thursday, a leading party member said he can trust and follow other party members after visiting their constituencies over the weekend.
The report from Gray, the deputy secretary general, gave some couleur locale to what was already known. While British citizens were weighed down by a stifling lockdown, Downing Street was an oasis of joy and conviviality. For example, farewell receptions turned into parties that lasted well into the night. There was singing, fighting and puking. Cleaners and security guards who said something about it, got a big mouth. To promote well-being, the head of Ethics had brought a karaoke machine.
Anarchist culture
In recent weeks, the police have handed out 126 corona fines to 83 different Downing Street employees. This makes it the country’s most fined address. Johnson and his wife Carrie were both fined for cutting a cake and singing on Johnson’s birthday. For the other drinks, where alcohol was involved, he went free. However, the prime minister comes across as a hypocrite, as his government had claimed that “when one person breaks the corona rules, everyone suffers”. Did he himself believe in the corona measures?
Johnson was present at several of those drinks, to give a speech, for example, and to raise a glass. He regrets it, but at the same time insists they were work-related gatherings. However, Gray also holds him responsible for what happened next. Under Johnson, who is known for mostly following his own rules, an anarchic culture has developed that is reminiscent of the Bullingdon Club, the elite Oxford society where young Johnson was a pacesetter in the 1980s.
scandal fatigue
The fact that Johnson is still in place has partly to do with luck, his best political companion. When his position faltered at the beginning of this year because of Partygate, the Ukraine crisis erupted, shifting attention and enabling him to establish himself as a statesman. As a result, he made significant gains in time, counting on a certain scandal fatigue among the public. Four months later, there is also a police investigation against Labor leader Keir Starmer, who in turn was found to have had a drink during the lockdown. Thus, the opposition leader Johnson could not attack too hard.
Johnson has also proved adept at diverting attention. A day after Sue Gray’s report was released, his Treasury Secretary announced a one-time tax on energy companies, companies that have made huge profits. The proceeds of this Robin Hood-like measure, converted EUR 5.87 billion, will go to the British who suffer the most from the increased prices for gas and electricity. It is a literal form of penance for the prime minister who has come to be known as Boris the Survivor.