Cabinet resignations: Exmouth politicians react

Expectation is growing that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will have to stand down after two of his most senior ministers quit cabinet yesterday evening (Tuesday 5 July) as more facts emerged about the Chris Pincher affair.

The Downing Street Office of the Prime Minister had earlier denied the level of knowledge Mr Johnson had about the past record of the Tamworth MP, who has admitted groping men and unacceptable conduct in Parliament while drunk, before appointing him to a position in the Conservative Whips' office. He has already been suspended from the Conservative Party and now faces other allegations.

Mr Johnson has admitted he had been told about complaints about Mr Pincher in 2019 and made a "bad mistake" by not acting on it.

Within minutes of that admission, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid resigned. Mr Sunak said the public expect "government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously" while Mr Javid told the Prime Minister he can "no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this government".

Expectation is now rife that Mr Johnson will finally have to fall on his sword and resign after months of criticism over his conduct, decisions and attempts to avoid blame for 'Partygate' and other government failing.

Exmouth reactions

L to R: Simon Jupp MP (By David Woolfall, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=86665477, changes made), Cllr Christine Channon (DCC), Cllr Paul Millar (EDDC)

East Devon MP Simon Jupp, whose constituency includes Exmouth, has written an open letter to his constituents calling on Johnson 'to do the decent thing and resign'.

Councillor Christine Channon (Conservative, Exmouth & Budleigh Salterton Coastal) said: "I believe that integrity and morality are essential in public life. I do not consider it can be easy to be Prime Minister and Boris Johnson has had to face some very difficult situations, particularly during the pandemic. 

"However it is now apparent that key members of his Government are so concerned that they have chosen to resign and it would appear Boris has lost the confidence and support of a good number of Conservative supporters. 

"The rise in the cost of living is causing distress to quite a lot of people and we need a Government which is fit to deal with these key issues. I think it is time for Boris Johnson to seriously consider whether he is capable of leading such a recovery."

Councillor Paul Millar (Labour, Exmouth Halsdon) said: "I feel angry by how distracted Boris Johnson has become due to his failure to lead his own party and MPs.

"Like rats leaving a sinking ship, now his Cabinet is disintegrating before our very eyes. If he had an ounce of integrity, he would call it a day. You can't enforce rules on others without being prepared to observe them yourself, and mud sticks - he has lost authority.

"Exmouth has not received a penny from the Johnson government - we were promised investment. No politician should make promises they can't keep."

Councillor Joe Whibley (Independent, Exmouth Town) said: "This is a wretched, sorry mess that, for me, does nothing to improve the already awful perception of British politics.

"It's hard enough getting the public to believe that there are political figures at every level who don't lie, can be honest and do have honour and integrity. Boris Johnson has, unfortunately, lied and lacked honesty, honour and integrity thus making this problem much bigger.

"He's dragging the whole country down into his megalomaniacal self-preservation bunker. He must go."