Putin's Role in Boris Johnson's Resilience Revealed

Putin's Role in Boris Johnson's Resilience Revealed

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Johnson's struggle for political survival 2.1 Johnson's declining popularity in the polls 2.2 Optimism following the war with Russia
3. Johnson's challenges during the crisis 3.1 Criticisms of the UK's refugee policy 3.2 Exposing links to Russian money 3.3 Failure to distance himself from Starmah's attacks
4. Temporary respite for Johnson 4.1 Narrowing polling gap 4.2 Delaying a vote of no confidence
5. New contender: Ben Wallace
6. Uncertain future for Johnson 6.1 Pending police investigation and the Sue Grey Report 6.2 The impact of the Ukraine crisis on the global economy
7. Conclusion

Johnson's Struggle for Political Survival

Since the beginning of this year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced numerous challenges that threatened his political survival. At one point, his approval ratings were at an all-time low, and he was struggling to convince his own MPs and the public that his actions were law-abiding. However, in recent months, Johnson seems to have turned things around and regained some stability in his position. This article delves into the reasons behind Johnson's initial decline and examines how he has managed to hold on to his position amidst the ongoing crisis.

Johnson's Declining Popularity in the Polls

At the start of the year, Johnson faced a significant dip in his popularity ratings. Polls indicated that a majority of people disapproved of his performance as prime minister. For instance, a poll in early January showed that only 22% of respondents approved of Johnson, while 73% expressed their disapproval. This marked a significant decline for Johnson, especially considering that the Conservative Party had been consistently leading in the polls since his election in 2019. Labour Party also achieved their greatest lead in mid-January, causing concerns within the Conservative Party.

Optimism Following the War with Russia

However, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia brought about a shift in the narrative surrounding Johnson's popularity. Conservative MPs believed that the war would improve Johnson's poll rating, as incursions and conflicts have historically benefited incumbents. The war also provided an opportunity for Johnson to showcase his statesmanship. Moreover, the war served as a distraction from Johnson's various scandals and controversies, especially the impending Sue Grey Report. The unity displayed across party lines in supporting the Ukrainian forces further shielded Johnson from attacks by the opposition. As a result, the gap in the polls between the Conservatives and Labour began to narrow, indicating a slight improvement for Johnson.

Criticisms of the UK's Refugee Policy

While the war seemingly improved Johnson's standing, criticisms regarding the UK's refugee policy have plagued his administration. The UK's relatively strict approach to accepting Ukrainian refugees has drawn widespread condemnation. As of now, the UK has issued only 3,000 visas to Ukrainian refugees, with strict requirements for family connections or willing sponsors. In contrast, countries like Germany, France, and Poland have shown a more welcoming attitude, accepting hundreds of thousands or millions of refugees. This discrepancy has put Johnson and his party out of sync with public opinion, as the majority of Britons want the government to do more to help Ukrainian refugees.

Exposing Links to Russian Money

Another factor that has dented Johnson's reputation is his party's association with Russian money. He has faced criticism for allegedly pushing through a peerage for Evgeny Lebedev, the son of Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev and owner of media publications such as the Evening Standard and The Independent. The Sunday Times reported that Johnson disregarded warnings from the head of MI6 about national security risks associated with Lebedev. Additionally, Johnson has been unable to Create distance between himself and Starmah regarding NATO, despite Starmah's different stance from his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn. These controversies have highlighted the challenges Johnson still faces.

Failure to Distance Himself from Starmah's Attacks

Although there have been some improvements in Johnson's poll ratings, he still faces significant challenges. Recent polls indicate that the gap between the Conservatives and Labour has widened once again. Additionally, Johnson has a net approval rating of -36 as of March. However, despite public disapproval, the war in Ukraine has saved Johnson from an imminent vote of no confidence by Conservative MPs. The crisis has dissuaded potential rebels, and some leadership candidates have also faltered due to their involvement in controversies. Nonetheless, the temporary respite provided by the war does not guarantee long-term stability for Johnson.

New Contender: Ben Wallace

Among the potential contenders to replace Johnson, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has gained popularity. He has been actively involved in organizing aid for Ukraine and has delivered impactful speeches in the House of Commons. In February, Wallace surpassed Liz Truss as the Cabinet member with the highest approval rating among Conservative members, boasting an impressive positive 83 rating. Although Wallace has stated that he has no immediate plans to run for leadership, his rising popularity is a cause for concern for Johnson.

Uncertain Future for Johnson

While the war in Ukraine has provided temporary relief for Johnson, his position remains uncertain. The pending police investigation and the Sue Grey Report still loom over his premiership. The impacts of the Ukraine crisis on the global economy are yet to fully unfold, adding further uncertainty to the situation. The article also acknowledges the discussions on the global economy's expected impacts, which can be found exclusively on Nebula. In conclusion, although the war in Ukraine has briefly shifted the narrative, it remains to be seen how it will ultimately Shape Johnson's future and its broader implications.

Conclusion

Boris Johnson's political survival has been tested in recent months, as he faced declining popularity and numerous challenges. The war in Ukraine provided a temporary respite, narrowing the polling gap and delaying a vote of no confidence. However, criticisms of the UK's refugee policy and links to Russian money have tarnished Johnson's image. The rise of potential contenders, such as Ben Wallace, further adds uncertainty to Johnson's future. Only time will tell how the ongoing crisis and its consequences will shape the fate of Johnson's premiership.