War has never been a reason not to replace a UK Prime Minister – The National

IT is striking to note the spurious argument that because there is war in Ukraine this means that the Prime Minister should remain in office and not be replaced.

This is a man who has broken the law, the first Prime Minister in office to do this, as well as lying to parliament. History highlights that on numerous occasions we have replaced the Prime Minister in wars we have been directly involved in.

For instance, in May 1940 Neville Chamberlain resigned after the failure of British efforts to liberate Norway. In December 1916, at the height of the First World War, Lloyd George replaced Herbert Asquith. More recently, Mrs Thatcher resigned in November 1990, with Iraq invading Kuwait in August of that year, which led to the Gulf War.

READ MORE:Nicola Sturgeon: Douglas Ross using Ukraine to defend Johnson is 'lowest of the low'

Add to this changes to Prime Ministers during the war in Afghanistan, the Second Boer War, the Second Opium War and the Crimean War. Changing a Prime Minister in a time of conflict is clearly not unprecedented.

Those who make the law cannot be seen to be breaking the law and it is scarcely credible that Mr Johnson, who has now lost the final fragments of any moral authority he did have, can carry the confidence of the country and remain in office.

Alex OrrEdinburgh

I HAVE squirmed repeatedly as Unionists defend Boris Johnson on the grounds that an illegal party is trivial compared with the bloody war in Ukraine.

Firstly, the whole mechanism of government will be available to deal with the ramifications of the war, and the PMs part is comparatively minor, in fact given Johnsons legendary laziness and lack of preparation its probably negligible. But secondly, and far more importantly, the Tory drinks parties were not victimless crimes as has been implied.

READ MORE:Douglas Ross denies 'cynically using Ukraine' to defend law-breaking Boris Johnson

An ordinary member of the public, breaking the rules, risks harming and maybe causing the deaths of a few acquaintances. A senior politician breaking the rules risks much more: a public loss of belief, replaced by nihilism, and ultimately a large amount of avoidable mortality and morbidity. Its a crime of reckless endangerment of millions of people.

Derek BallBearsden

WHAT a dreadful shambles that is Westminster. The odious Boris Johnson supported by his dumb and dumber Scottish rep Douglas Dross.

Johnson has lied, misled parliament, broken the ministerial code, the first PM in office to break the law, he is at the root of the cronyism and PPE scandal that has lined the pockets of his millionaire buddies.

READ MORE:Douglas Ross 'destroys credibility' with car crash BBC Scotland interview

The cost-of-living crisis is in the large part due to him and his business vultures who put themselves and their wealth first and enforced Brexit on Scotland.

Johnsons MPs are standing by him but that does not mean that our SNP MPs need to join the eejits they should stand up for Scotland and refuse to work with him. Come home and lets start the campaign for our self-determination our independence. Scotland deserves better than being dominated by a bunch of self-serving numpties.

Jan FerrieAyrshire

WHY are individuals and the the media overlooking the fact that Johnson lied to parliament which, when exposed, calls for an automatic resignation of the perpetrator? Shouldnt the Speaker be taking action to implement parliamentary standards?

Douglas Ross claiming that Johnsons presence is essential while the war is raging in the Ukraine is nonsense. Surely a party with an 80-seat majority could find a better replacement, even one who doesnt tell porkies. Johnsons handling of the run-up to the war did nothing to enhance his attempt at statesmanship.

Mike UnderwoodLinlithgow

SO here we have D Ross, who on the basis of what were then merely allegations publicly called for Johnson to resign or be sacked. Now with actual guilt being found and confirmed by Johnson, D Ross says Johnson must stay because of Ukraine. At first the logic of this was beyond me, then I saw his logic!

Clearly when dealing with a pathological lying populist in the Kremlin, the UK needs a lying populist (or two) in Downing Street!

The criminal and Unionist party are a disgrace lets throw them out here in Scotland and lets get Scotland out of the UK, which is run by pathological liars and now criminals!

Rab Doigvia email

THE widespread use of the name BOZO almost sounds like a term of endearment these days. Following Tuesdays confirmation of party fines, may I suggest the name is henceforth changed to BOOZO? At least, being more apt, it cant easily be misconstrued.

Bruce MogliaBridge of Weir

DOUGLAS Ross suggesting this is not the time to remove a Prime Minister who has been found out only serves to promote Mr Rosss cowardliness. It is not only the party that is over political careers are hanging by a thread. Voters only have a short time to wait for the opportunity to give their verdict: the local elections are looming on May 5 and a clear message should be forthcoming.

Catriona C ClarkFalkirk

IF the lying Prime Minister will not resign, surely one of the Queens final acts should be to summon him to Buckingham Palace and insist that he resign to uphold longstanding protocols. Does this also mean that Ian Blackford can call him a liar in the House of Commons without fear of contradiction?

Steve CunninghamAberdeen

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War has never been a reason not to replace a UK Prime Minister - The National