Aware of the recent video showing a party at the Conservative Party HQ during the lockdown in 2020. The video shows people drinking and dancing and has received widespread outrage and criticism.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove apologized for the video, calling it “appalling” and “completely out of order”. He said he left the team before the recorded video but took full responsibility for what happened.
The video has reignited public anger over the “PartyGate” scandal, which has dogged the government for months. In December 2021, it was revealed that government officials had organized several parties during the COVID-19 lockdown violating the rules. This led to calls for the resignation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who eventually resigned in June 2022.
The latest video could further damage the reputation of the Conservative Party, and it remains to be seen what the consequences will be.
Apart from Gove, another minister attending the party was Ben Mallett, recently awarded an OBE by Johnson. Mallett said he regretted attending the party and would donate his OBE to charity.
The Metropolitan Police are currently investigating the video, and further action will be taken against those involved.
Here are some reactions to the video:
Labour leader Kier Starmer: “This is further evidence of the Conservative Party’s complete disregard for the rules imposed on the rest of us. They broke the law, lied to the public, and got away with it. It’s time for a change.”
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey: “This video is the latest in many revelations about the Conservatives’ disregard for the law. It’s clear they think they’re above the rules, and that’s just not acceptable.”
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas: “This video is a disgrace. It shows the Conservatives’ utter contempt for the public who followed the rules during the lockdown. They must be held accountable for their actions.”
It remains to be seen what the long-term consequences of this video will be. However, it is clear that it has further damaged the reputation of the Conservative Party and will likely lead to further calls for action against those involved.
Here are some possible consequences of the video:
The Conservative Party may lose public support, thereby reducing its electoral prospects.
Individual ministers or officials may face disciplinary action, including dismissal.
The Metropolitan Police can take further action, such as issuing fines or making arrests.
Governments may be forced to change rules around COVID-19 restrictions.
It’s still too early to tell what the outcome of the video will be. However, it is clear that this has caused a great deal of anger and upset and could significantly impact the Conservative Party and the government.
The ongoing Johnson saga and the COVID “Partygate” headlines will do little for Sunak’s efforts to focus on boosting Britain’s flagging economy, where homeowners face hefty mortgage repayments as the Bank of England raises interest rates to stem stubbornly high inflation.
Asked if the government would take steps to help borrowers, he said there were no immediate plans to intervene, but the matter was under review.
“The worst thing to do would be to spend money on short-term relief, which would mean that our overall finances were in a weak position, and interest rates were high for a long time, and inflation was high for a long time,” Gove said.
