WOKINGHAM’S MP should be calling for the resignation of Boris Johnson following the news that he has been fined for attending a party when covid rules prevented it.
The police have issued fixed penalty notices to the prime minister, his wife, and the chancellor Rishi Sunak, for a gathering in June 2020.
Now, Wokingham parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats, Clive Jones, has called for the incumbent, Coversative Sir John Redwood, to take action.
The party also wants parliament to be recalled so a vote of no confidence can take place.
“The Conservative MP for our area cannot hide behind lame excuses any longer. It is time for Sir John Redwood to sack Boris Johnson. No more ifs or buts,” Cllr Jones said.
“While people in Wokingham made heart-breaking sacrifices during lockdowns, Boris Johnson and his team were partying in Downing Street.
“We all have painful memories of that lockdown, from not being able to see dying relatives, to being separated for months on end from our friends and family.
“How on earth can Conservative MPs keep supporting a law-breaking Prime Minister and Chancellor?
“Our country needs leadership right now, not a Government in chaos.”
Sir John has not issued a public statement on the current fines, but had previously expressed his view that there were more pressing issues facing the country.
He told Talk Radio in January: “My advice to the Prime Minister is to concentrate on making things better for the British public. I’m less fussed about Partygate.”
Boris Johnson is being ‘questioned by Sue Gray’ after another claim of a No 10 party.
But Tory MP Sir John Redwood says "My advice to the Prime Minister is to concentrate on making things better for the British public. I'm less fussed about Partygate."@JuliaHB1 | @johnredwood pic.twitter.com/dZf4dsZsg7
— TalkTV (@TalkTV) January 17, 2022
And he wrote on his blog: “Sorting out the question of what senior officials and maybe some Ministers and the PM did in lockdown is less important that ensuring they govern well today, though the one does reflect on the central problem of when will the government as a whole bend to the will of the people that pay for it?
“People would be less angry about the office arrangements if they were getting what they voted for.
“The government needs to reset, to show Ministers are in charge, and to demonstrate they can work productively with civil servants to deliver promises.”
Reading East MP Matt Rodda is also calling for the prime minister to resign.
“Across Reading, Woodley & Earley, families made huge sacrifices to keep their families, our neighbours & our communities safe,” he tweeted.
“While we all followed the rules, the Prime Minister and Chancellor were breaking the law and attending parties.
“They should both resign.”
Across Reading, Woodley & Earley, families made huge sacrifices to keep their families, our neighbours & our communities safe.
While we all followed the rules, the Prime Minister and Chancellor were braking the law and attending parties.
They should both resign. https://t.co/OqtoDvyJ0D
— Matt Rodda (@MattRodda) April 12, 2022
Cllr Jones’ view was echoed by his national party leader, Ed Davey.
In a statement, he said: “The country cannot have criminals and liars leading our Government, especially at a time of national and international crisis.
“Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak took the country’s sacrifices for granted, while they broke the law to party in Downing Street. They are not fit to hold office. If they had a shred of decency, they would resign.
“Parliament should be recalled immediately so that MPs can hold a vote of no confidence. Conservative MPs must do their patriotic duty and kick these criminals out of Government once and for all.”
