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by pmyteh 1440 days ago
They're not resigning because they've suddenly realised he's a wrong 'un, they're leaving because he's become an electoral liability. But I suspect you know that - it's how politics works essentially everywhere, including the United States, for parties of all ideological persuasions.

If not, you might want to start with this short article in the Spectator[0] (one of the Conservative house journals, which Johnson used to edit) by Toby Young (a Tory) fifteen years ago (after his rise to prominence, but before his rise to power). The man's a scoundrel and his party have always known it. And even generally honest politicians aren't going to write "We gave you a go because we hoped you'd win the election, but we underestimated just how unpopular you'd get - please go now" in a resignation letter.

[0]: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/having-your-cake-eating-...

1 comments

You're projecting your own views onto other people without any evidence. In their letters they make it clear that they do now feel his behaviour has become unacceptable, and that's why he's become an electoral liability. They're years away from an election so your argument that it's all about electoral liability lacks explanatory power (why now) and boils down to "politicians innit", which isn't really an argument at all.

If you're a columnist or random commentator, fine, argue whatever you like. It's kind of absurd that you teach politics though. Surely such people are supposed to work hard to be as neutral as possible. I don't believe for one second you're politically neutral on this topic.