A string of ministers and other parliamentary private secretaries have now walked out of the Government following the resignations yesterday of Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid. They include Robin Walker, who was heavily involved in negotiations with the Channel Islands when the UK withdrew from the European Union.
But the Channel Islands’ ‘man in Whitehall’, Lord Bellamy, was among those remaining loyal to the Prime Minister this morning.
Lord Bellamy was appointed as recently as 7 June to replace Lord Wolfson, who resigned from the Government in April over Mr Johnson’s handling of parties at Number 10 while the country was under strict covid restrictions.
Guernsey’s leading politicians have not met Lord Bellamy since his appointment. Deputy Peter Ferbrache, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, told Express this morning that they are “due to speak to him soon”.
Pictured: Deputy Peter Ferbrache reiterated this morning that his and his Committee’s focus in external relations remains defending and promoting the interests of the Bailiwick regardless of the circumstances facing the Government of the day.
Just before Mr Johnson faced questions in the House of Commons, Deputy Ferbrache declined to comment on whether the beleaguered Prime Minister should remain in office.
“We in the Bailiwick of course want a stable and focused UK Government. That is good for them and us. That said, various UK administrations have had difficulties in the past. We have experienced those and continued to act then, as we do now, in the best interests of the Bailiwick,” said Deputy Ferbrache.
“As I said then [on Any Questions? in June], the matter of who is Prime Minister is for Westminster and ultimately the UK electorate.
“We will work very closely with whoever is in Government. We are always vigilant in ensuring that whatever the administration, or whoever is the Prime Minister, that the interests of the Bailiwick are considered and respected.”
Pictured: Deputy Charles Parkinson is among States’ members predicting the imminent collapse of Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government.
The UK Government has been hit by 15 resignations in the past day following a row over Mr Johnson’s decision to appoint Chris Pincher, who resigned as a Deputy Chief Whip last week after an incident at the Carlton Club. Mr Pincher said he was “extremely drunk” and “embarrassed myself and other people”.
Deputy Charles Parkinson questioned Mr Johnson’s longevity after the resignations of his Chancellor and Health Secretary.
Deputy Heidi Soulsby, Vice President of the Policy & Resources Committee, said current events were reminiscent of the fall of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister in 1990.
Deputy Aidan Matthews speculated that the Prime Minister’s tenure in Downing Street would be over soon.
Sunak and Javid gone. How can Boris cling on?
— Charles Parkinson (@dep_parkinson) July 5, 2022
It reminds me of last days of Margaret Thatcher’s premiership. She went on my 25th birthday. But it was November not July. Will be interesting to see what Michael Gove does.
— Deputy Heidi Soulsby MBE (@HeidiSoulsby) July 5, 2022
Generally agree with Lord Heseltine assessment that Boris must be reaching the end of the road now, despite his reasonably good foreign policy performance on Ukraine. Not convinced Brexit goes too though https://t.co/kNZd5g8YmU
— Aidan Matthews (@AidanDSMatthews) July 5, 2022
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States’ external relations lead “disheartened” by resignation
