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Most Britons believe that there are ‘more important things’ to worry about than Partygate, a poll for the Daily Mail reveals today.
Almost 80 per cent of those questioned said the war in Ukraine matters more to them than lockdown-busting gatherings in Downing Street.
More than half said the UK needs to move on from the scandal.
The poll, carried out by Redfield & Wilton Strategies on behalf of the Mail, asked 1,500 voters about Partygate.
The majority of the British public are focused on things other than partygate, such as the war in Ukraine, according to a poll where more than half said the country needs to move on
It suggests that the public are more focused on the Russian invasion of Ukraine than breaches of Covid rules in Downing Street – despite opposition pressure for Boris Johnson to quit after he was fined.
A total of 66 per cent said they strongly agreed or agreed with the statement: ‘I am tired of hearing about the parties held in 10 Downing Street during the pandemic.’
Just 17 per cent said they disagreed or strongly disagreed. Sixty-six per cent also agreed there are more important things to focus on than Partygate.
Seventy-eight per cent said the war between Ukraine and Russia matters more to them than Partygate.
Eleven per cent disagreed while another 11 per cent said neither matters to them much.
A total of 54 per cent said the UK needs to move on from the scandal while 36 per cent said the lockdown parties matter to them significantly – down from 39 per cent in February.
The findings will be welcome news in Downing Street amid fears that the issuing of fines by police to the Prime Minister and Chancellor Rishi Sunak could damage the Conservatives in the local elections on May 5.
The police probe has been branded a farce amid claims that the lunchtime birthday party for Mr Johnson lasted under ten minutes and the Prime Minister had only salad. It was also said that the cake was left uneaten in a container.
Tory MPs have privately criticised the Metropolitan Police for its timing in issuing the £50 fixed penalty notices.
A Conservative former minister told the Mail that the force should have waited until next month’s local elections were over because it might look like it is ‘attempting to influence the outcome’.
Johnson received a fine from the police along with his Chancellor Rishi Sunak. Backbenchers Nigel Mills and Craig Whittaker have called for the Prime Minister to resign
Tory MPs have argued the timing is suspicious given the announcement came ahead of local elections deemed pivotal for the party, whereas Labour MPs argues the timing was beneficial for the prime minister given to the fact that the parliament is currently in recess
However, some backbenchers argued that the timing was in fact positive for the Government because MPs are currently in recess and not due back in Westminster for another week.
Labour and other opposition parties have called on the Prime Minister to quit, but many of Mr Johnson’s toughest Tory critics on the backbenches have said ousting him amid the Ukraine crisis would be a mistake.
Among dissenting voices are Lord Wolfson, who quit as a justice minister over the scandal, former Cabinet minister Karen Bradley and senior Tory Tobias Ellwood.
Backbenchers Nigel Mills and Craig Whittaker have called for the Prime Minister to resign – suggesting Mr Johnson could face a tricky period when politicians return to Westminster.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer urged more Conservative MPs to speak out instead of acting like ‘lemmings’ in support of the PM.
He said: ‘Every Tory MP that cares about honesty and integrity should call for the Prime Minister to resign. They know he’s a liar. They know he’s a law-breaker.’
Sir Keir dismissed Mr Johnson’s announcement of a tougher immigration policy which involves sending some Channel migrants to Rwanda, branding it a ‘desperate’ attempt to distract from the Partygate row.
Source: Daily Mail
