New blow to Boris Johnson: British health and finance ministers resign

British Health Secretary Sajid Javid and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak resigned on Tuesday (July 5) in protest against Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership as a barrage of scandals left the Conservative government reeling, the Xinhua reported.

Javid said he "can no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this government," while Sunak criticized the government's lack of competence.

"The tone you set as leader, and the values you represent, reflect on your colleagues, your party and ultimately the country," Javid said in his resignation to Johnson posted on his own Twitter page. He concluded that the Conservative Party has neither been "popular" nor "competent in acting in the national interest."

Javid said: "This situation will not change under your leadership and you have therefore lost my confidence.”

He added: "The country needs a strong and principled Conservative party, and the party is bigger than any one individual.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak are seen in cabinet room in 10 Downing Street during Johnson's birthday, in London, Britain June 19, 2020 in this picture obtained from civil servant Sue Gray's report published on May 25, 2022. Sue Gray Report / gov.uk/Handout via REUTERS

In his resignation posted on Twitter, the chancellor wrote, "The public rightly expect government to be conducted properly, competently and seriously."

Sunak said: "I recognise this may be my last ministerial job, but I believe these standards are worth fighting for and that is why I am resigning.”

He added: "I served you loyally and as a friend, but we all serve the country first. When made to choose between those loyalties there can only be one answer.”

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Sajid Javid he was "sorry" to receive his resignation letter as health secretary and suggested his government would "continue to deliver" plans for the NHS.

Months of scandals have dogged Johnson and his government, casting doubt on the Conservatives' future in the next general election in 2024.

The prime minister wrote in a brief letter: "Dear Saj, Thank you for your letter this evening tendering your resignation. I was very sorry to receive it.

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"You have served this government, and the people of the United Kingdom, with distinction."

Johnson noted Javid's work to tackle Covid-19 backlogs and other plans for the health service, and vowed that "the government will continue to deliver on them."

He concluded: "You will be greatly missed, and I look forward to your contribution from the backbenches.”

Signaling his intention to stay in power for as long as possible, Johnson quickly appointed former businessman Nadhim Zahawi, the current education secretary, as his new finance minister. Steve Barclay, appointed in February to impose discipline in Johnson's administration, was moved to the health portfolio.

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The resignations came as Johnson was apologizing for appointing a lawmaker to a role involved in offering pastoral care to his party, even after being briefed that the politician had been the subject of complaints about sexual misconduct.

Johnson went on television to apologize for Pincher's appointment minutes before the two cabinet ministers' announcements of resignation.

Though Johnson recently survived a no-confidence vote within his party over the "Partygate" scandal that saw him and government employees revel in alcohol-fueled parties at Downing Street over the past two years when the country was in COVID-19 lockdown, lawmakers who voted against him amounted to more than 40 percent.

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Last month, the Conservative Party lost two crucial House of Commons seats in by-elections.

Johnson's political opponents have quickly pounced at the departure of the two key ministers as well as its damage on Johnson's premiership and the Conservative party as a whole.

Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour party, said, "After all the sleaze, the scandals and the failure, it's clear that this Government is now collapsing. Tory cabinet ministers have known all along who this Prime Minister is."

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Starmer said: "They have been complicit every step of the way as he has disgraced his office and let down his country. If they had a shred of integrity they would have gone months ago."

He added: "Only a real change of government can give Britain the fresh start it needs.”

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey tweeted, "A House of Cards built on lies and deceit comes crashing down. Go and go now. You have discredited our great country long enough."

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