1/ The tide turning against #johnson over #DowningStParty is odd. Yes, it was terrible behaviour but we've come to expect it & his gov. has done much worse without the same scrutiny. So, why now and why over this? #DowningStreetChristmasParty
2/ #Johnson the populist was a useful means of defeating #JeremyCorbyn in 2019. A more obviously "respectable" establishment figure would have struggled* (*see Theresa May). But as Ken Clarke explained in 2019, Johnson is not the establishment's ideal PM telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/…
3/ This isn't because he is unusually venal & corrupt* (*see, for example, most British Govs.) but he doesn't participate in the parliamentary theatre in the correct way: a way that would disguise the fundamental corruption of Britain's ruling class...
4/ ...the British ruling class gains its legitimacy from adherence from the numerous conventions of parliamentary theatre. One example is to refer to each other as the "honourable gentleman" etc. This narrative falls down somewhat when the PM is explicitly & overtly dishonourable
5/ The UK has no real constitution, just a set of relatively loose conventions, guidelines which ensure that the parliamentary theatre stays within the realm of plausibility. By convention, if certain guidelines are to be dropped, a performance is required to demonstrate why.
6/ The #Johnson gov. has dropped both the convention and the performance, blatantly breaking the law in some cases. The usual convention is to use Parliament to change the law to legalise corrupt practices but...
7/ the shenanigans of the #Johnson regime draws attention to the truth: the UK Government is free to break the law with impunity, exposing the corrupt nature of British political life in general. The Johnson administration's misdemeanor isn't the crime but the lack of discretion.
8/ The reason its coming to a head now is that several appalling bits of legislation are soon to pass into law. These will give future Governments freedom to behave appallingly with legal cover and won't be repealed by a #Starmer gov...
9/ So with an alternative corporate stooge in the wings, #Johnson has outlived his usefulness & can be dispensed with.
To this outrage over #DowningStParty serves 2 functions:
1. Provide cover for the frightening legislation passing through Parliament
2. Call time on #Johnson
To this outrage over #DowningStParty serves 2 functions:
1. Provide cover for the frightening legislation passing through Parliament
2. Call time on #Johnson
10/10 So there you have it. When #Johnson goes, or at the next election (should he stay on), we'll all be expected to go back to sleep again, to sleepwalk to the polling station & vote for a more plausibly "honourable", if no less corrupt, "gentleman". #DowningStParty #deadcat
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