That wasn’t meant to be Boris Johnson’s last PMQs. But it sounded as if, mentally, he has already checked out, and as if he has other plans for 12pm next Wednesday. That was one implication of his final answer to Keir Starmer, where he said:
The next leader of my party may be elected by acclamation, so it is possible this will be our last confrontation, it is possible. So, I want to thank him for the style in which he conducted himself. I think it would be fair to say he has been considerably less lethal than many other members of this house. It is perfectly true that I leave not at a time of my choosing, it is absolutely true, but I am proud of the fantastic teamwork that has been involved in all of those projects both nationally and internationally, and I am also proud of the leadership that I have given. I will be leaving with my head held high.
No 10 are saying that Johnson does intend to do PMQs next week. But this did sound very valedictory, and it is possible, of course, that the No 10 press office has not yet been told about the trip to Ukraine, or the mystery bout of Covid, or some other hypothetical that might stop Johnson being PM next Wednesday.
BJ as arrogant and self-serving as ever. No regrets and no remorse for his disastrous and deadly premiership. Good riddance.
The Inquiry will examine, consider and report on preparations and the response to the pandemic in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, up to and including the Inquiry’s formal setting-up date, 28 June 2022.
The purpose of that investigation is to examine the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and learn lessons for the future. In the course of establishing what went wrong, and much did, culpability will, hopefully, be apportioned.
