Boris Johnson is doomed, but Rishi Sunak might not be the saviour the Tories crave | Martin Kettle

Johnson’s likely successor as prime minister is inexperienced, and his popularity with voters may already be waning

Downing Street’s May 2020 bring-your-own-booze party has reignited the despair about Boris Johnson’s leadership that the remaining Conservative optimists hoped might disappear over the winter break. Now, though, the blaze has revived with a vengeance. Johnson’s apology to the Commons does not solve this in any way.

The apology merely confirms what was already clear: an astonishingly insensitive breach was committed at the height of the first lockdown. This dereliction did not just feature Johnson as a participant: it was marked by his very character. His apology, with its continued pretence about a work event within the regulations, lacks either moral worth or political credibility.

Martin Kettle is a Guardian associate editor and columnist

Continue reading...