Just written to my MP. Could you write to yours?
Dear Sarah,
Please will you support all efforts, from whichever party, to have Boris Johnson follow the usual procedure for resignations?
The usual procedure is that the person resigning steps down as soon as possible. Especially when there is a Deputy in place for such an eventuality. It is unusual for someone to stay in post without handing over to their Deputy for the interim, before the post is fully filled.
Dominic Raab announced early that he will not be standing for Leader of the Conservative Party. The speed of this announcement showed that the ‘between the lines’ message was ‘I will be a safe interim Prime Minister because I will not use the position to aid my own candidacy.’ All of us expected that, by now, Dominic would be interim Prime Minister.
Boris thinks otherwise. He does not follow the usual procedure. You remember his school report – ‘”I think he honestly believes that it is churlish of us not to regard him as an exception, one who should be free of the network of obligation that binds everyone else.” Today, again, Boris is expecting all of us to go along with his exceptionalism. The normal procedure for resignations does not apply to him.
The general understanding, voiced by Sajid Javid and many others, is that Boris does not act according to agreed standards, moral and otherwise. The number and seniority of people which have come to this assessment, means that our country is in danger from Boris acting outside of agreed standards until his successor is chosen. I wince at the prospect of Boris representing our country in meetings and statements when, with nothing more to lose, he is vey likely to be more cavalier than ever.
Please urge him to follow usual procedure and go now.
Thank you,
Canon Roger Harper-Allen
Boris himself seemed to indicate he expects to be out soon by giving detailed thanks to all at No 10. He did not say ‘I’ll give my thanks in a few months.’ He has said all his thanks now. He is ready to go now.
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