Johnson and the Pork Pie Plot
Is this the beginning of the end for the PM - Plus podcasts and A level exams
This is going to be a long week.
(Year 13 - a little about your exams at the end)
Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, I am told, is home to the world’s finest pork pies - something to do with the crusts. It is represented in Parliament by Alicia Kearns of the Conservative Party.
The Guardian reports that “Red wall” (relatively new, northern) Conservative MPs (of traditionally Labour-held seats) met on Tuesday to decide whether to submit letters calling for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister. “They gathered in the office of the Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns, giving rise to the nickname the “pork pie plot,” it said.
On Wednesday, one of these disillusioned backbenchers, MP Christian Wakeford ‘crossed the floor’ and joined the Labour Party. The announcement was made minutes before Prime Minister’s Questions, it was timed for maximum embarrassment.
At PMQ’s, David Davis - a serial troublesome backbencher and former cabinet minister gave a scathing message to the prime minister and implored him to resign.
Essay tip - these examples can be used in an essay looking at the role of backbenchers.
Will Johnson last the week?
Of course ‘porky pies’ is what Johnson is accused of, misleading parliament on parties during lockdown.
This next week Sue Gray will complete her report on Downing Street parties. It may be curtains for the PM. To find out more about the civil servant that may potentially contribute to bring down Johnson, listen to this great 15-minute profile of her.
What’s next?
If Gray’s report is clear about wrongdoing, then the matter may be referred to the Metropolitan police for further investigation.
It will also trigger the expected 54 letters that have to be submitted to the Tory backbench 1922 Committee to trigger a leadership contest.
Whips
This past week, the dark art of whipping has been under scrutiny as one Conservative MP, William Wragg accused whips of threatening to withdraw funds from the constituencies of MPs who vote against Boris Johnson.
Wragg is vice-chair of the 1922 Committee. He has accused such activity as blackmail.
Here’s a very good article from Sky about the whip system.
On the weekend former transport minister, Nusrat Ghani accused a whip of saying ‘her Muslimness’ was one of the reasons behind her sacking.
It adds pressure to the Tories and continued claims that it suffers from endemic Islamophobia.
It also shows that many Conservative MPs are now comfortable about undermining Johnson, knowing that his authority is ebbing away.
Essay tip - Whipping is one reform of the House of Commons that remains outstanding.
Podcasts to listen to
I listened to three very informative podcasts this weekend (and good for essay examples)
A Week in Westminster - A look at rebellion, whips and the week ahead.
Profile - Who is Sue Gray
Simon Mark’s American Week - looks at why Biden is one of the most unpopular presidents in recent history.
Exams
As you may know, exam boards will announce which part of the specification will be included in the exam.
We expect it to be good news for students, as it will be easier to predict the types of questions that can come up.
Soon after I am going to restart my weekly webinars looking at exam questions that may come up based on the reduced summer assessment.
I shall be principally focussed on Edexcel Uk, Ideas and Global, but if there is demand I can also do AQA.
Signup forms to be sent out soon!