Tory leadership contenders begin manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson
December 10, 2021, 7:45 am

Tory leadership contenders begin manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson

UK Prime Minister taking booster shot/Official Facebook page

The Inews reported that UK MPs said, Tory leadership contenders have begun manoeuvres on replacing Boris Johnson if the Prime Minister’s position becomes untenable amid the Downing Street Christmas party scandal.

Backbenchers’ conversations around who could replace Mr Johnson have intensified since the leak of a video showing No 10 staffers joking about a lockdown-breaching Christmas party last December.

Supporters of Rishi Sunak are said to have been canvassing support for the Chancellor “if things fall down” following the leak.

Tory backbenchers told i that Liz Truss, the other frontrunner, has also been quietly wooing MPs on the sidelines in a bid to bolster her position in the event of a leadership tilt.

It came as the terms of reference for the inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case confirmed it would be expanded to cover allegations about three Government parties alleged to have broken lockdown restrictions in 2020.

UK-London-Footbridge/Pixabay

Several more Tories broke cover on Thursday to openly criticise the Government on Thursday, with Brexiteer Philip Hollobone suggesting the Downing Street parties were “totally inappropriate and possibly criminal”.

One MP said there are “conversations forming” on Mr Johnson’s leadership after a dire six weeks.

They said: “Backbenchers think it’s recoverable but if it goes on more than six months then it’s difficult."

“One of the PPSs (Parliamentary Private Secretary) – not one of Rishi’s, he’s smarter than that – has been going around canvassing support for him, asking: would you support Rishi if things fall down.”

Meanwhile, another MP said Ms Truss, the Foreign Secretary, had been holding “drinks parties” with backbenchers in an effort to build her support base.

Liz Truss-Foreign Ministe/Foreign Commonwealth and Development official Facebook page

A third Tory added: “Truss is definitely trying to build up support. She has been having regular dinners with backbenchers.”

Responding to the claims about supporters of Mr Sunak, an ally of the Chancellor said it was “the first I’ve heard”.

A spokesman for Ms Truss insisted she is not “canvassing people on the leadership”.

He said: “It’s total and utter rubbish."

“She’s been Foreign Secretary for less than 12 weeks and is focused on getting on with the job.

“She meets MPs regularly to discuss foreign policy, and previously trade policy.”

Mr Case will investigate claims of a staffer’s leaving party in No 10 on 27 November 2020 at which the PM is alleged to have made a speech, a drinks and canapes gathering at the Department for Education on 10 December, and the alleged Christmas party at No 10 on 18 December.

The two December dates coincide with when mixing between households in London was restricted, with England in a month-long lockdown during November.

But some claims, including that there was a party in Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie’s No 11 flat on 13 November – the night Dominic Cummings left the Government, are not currently included in the scope of the review, but could be added at a later date.

Source: inews

At least 53 people killed and dozens more injured in Mexico truck crash The Unrealistic Potential of Turkey-UAE Defense Cooperation

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.