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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday fended off attacks about his fitness to lead, after nearly 100 of his own MPs broke ranks and rebelled against his new coronavirus restrictions.
Johnson’s government sought to play down what was the largest parliamentary vote against his administration by lawmakers from his own party a day earlier, with one minister saying it was not surprising that there were different views over the Covid-19 restrictions, dubbed draconian by many Conservatives.
Nearly 100 Conservative lawmakers voted on Tuesday against new coronavirus restrictions, dealing a major blow to Johnson’s authority and raising questions about his leadership.
The British leader noted that the restriction measures – implemented in response to the new Omicron variant and which include ordering people to wear masks in public places and use certificates of vaccination or of a negative test for some venues – were passed.
But the opposition Labour Party quickly pointed out that they were only approved because of its own votes. Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson in parliament of being “the worst possible prime minister at the worst possible time” and that he was “too weak to lead”.
It comes as Britain recorded a record 78,610 laboratory-confirmed Covid cases – and predictions from scientists of even higher rates to come.
‘Balanced and proportionate’ approach
At a testy session in Parliament, Starmer said Johnson’s “own MPs have had enough. They won’t defend him. They won’t turn up to support him. They won’t vote for basic public health measures,” he said.
Johnson, who has warned that a “tidal wave” of Omicron could overwhelm health services, said he understood the “legitimate anxieties” of his fellow Tories.
But he denied the changes infringed on personal freedoms, adding: “I believe the approach we are…
Source : france24
