It's a familiar pattern from the British prime minister: he throws private parties instead of dealing with a disaster situation. It was the same on Saturday. As Britain prepares for record heat and the crisis management team meets, Johnson celebrates at the luxurious Checkers country estate.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was again criticized for a celebration over the weekend. As the news channel Sky News reported, the outgoing prime minister gave a private party at the luxurious country estate Checkers on Saturday. The government had previously declared a disaster due to the heat record expected for the beginning of next week and convened a meeting of the national crisis team Cobra. However, Johnson did not show up on Saturday.
The deputy leader of the opposition Labor Party, Angela Rayner, spoke of a "zombie government" and called on Johnson to vacate his seat "if he is still unable to take responsibility". A plan is needed to keep people safe at work, in traffic, in schools, hospitals and nursing homes in the face of the heat, Rayner said.
The British Weather Service has issued a red weather warning for Monday and Tuesday due to heat - for the first time ever. Up to 40 degrees Celsius are expected in large parts of England. The previous temperature record is 38.7 degrees and was measured in Cambridge in 2019.
Johnson resigned as party leader in early July under massive pressure from his parliamentary group and cabinet. He had previously struggled with one scandal after another - including because of banned lockdown parties at the government seat. However, he intends to remain in office until a successor is elected.
The selection process moves into another round on Monday when the five remaining candidates face a vote by Conservative Party faction members. The last place is out. The process continues until only two candidates remain. The Tory party members should then decide over the summer who will succeed Johnson as party leader and thus as prime minister.
