Haringey MPs speak out on Tory resignations

The Labour MPs for Tottenham and Hornsey and Wood Green have shared scathing remarks regarding Boris Johnson’s leadership after a series of Tory resignations. 

Former chancellor Rishi Sunak and former health secretary Sajid Javid kickstarted the exodus on Tuesday, 5th July. At the time of writing, eight further MPs have resigned from their positions – including Alex Chalke (former solicitor general), Will Quince (former education minister) and Bim Afolami (former Conservative Party vice chairman). 

This comes following a week of scandal, as it was revealed that the PM appointed Chris Pincher as deputy chief whip despite knowing that misconduct allegations had been brought against him. 

Speaking to Haringey Community Press, Catherine West – the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green – said: “For months now Boris Johnson and his government have been marred by scandal, eroding the stature of his office and making us a laughing stock abroad right at the time we need sensible and competent leadership.

“As people in Haringey struggle to pay their bills in this cost of living crisis it’s shameful we have a PM clinging on, more concerned about his own survival than people being pushed to the edge.

“Boris Johnson has set the tone for his rotten government, and the cabinet members and ministers who have taken the decision to jump ship previously backed him every step of the way as he lied, broke the law and betrayed the trust of the British people.

“We need more than a new PM. We need a change of Government to bring focus and energy to the challenges the British people face.”

The MP for Tottenham David Lammy echoed her sentiments in a Twitter post: “There is one statement that Labour, three quarters of Tory backbenchers and the vast majority of the public agree on: Boris Johnson must go. The country is just waiting for his spineless Cabinet of yes-men and women to catch up”

In a separate tweet, he said: “A fish rots from the head down, but @BorisJohnson has corrupted the @Conservatives to their core. A new Tory leader can’t reverse the decay in a party that has been complicit every step of the way. Only a new government will give the British public the fresh start they need.” 

Here is a list of everyone who has resigned from the government so far:

• Rishi Sunak, from his position as chancellor 

• Sajid Javid, from his position as health secretary

• Alex Chalk, from his position as solicitor general

• Will Quince, from his position as education minister 

• Bim Afolami, from his position as Conservative Party vice chairman

• Jonathan Gullis, who was private secretary to the Northern Ireland secretary

• Saqib Bhatti, who was a PPS to the health secretary

• Nicola Richards, who was a PPS at the department for transport

• Laura Trott, who was also PPS in the transport department

• Virginia Crosbie, who was a PPS, at the Welsh Office

• Theo Clarke, from his position as trade envoy to Kenya 

• Andrew Murrison, from his position as trade envoy to Morocco

MP David Lammy has been approached for comment.