Boris Johnson, Britain's Shortest Serving Prime Minister

Boris Johnson could go down in history as Britain’s shortest serving prime minister after having lost control of parliament and the Brexit agenda

- Anita Pratap

IN THE WOMB of adversity lie the seeds of resurrection. This is the only hope for Boris Johnson after he suffered a string of defeats in the very first week he faced parliament as prime minister. “Take back control” is the rallying cry of Brexiteers who want Britain to leave the European Union. But Brexit champion Johnson lost control of parliament, the nation’s decision-making process and the Brexit agenda. “He has no authority, no majority, no morality,” said opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn of the Labour, who appears to have outwitted the prime minister for now.

Johnson underestimated the fierce resistance to his “do or die” war cry to take Britain out of the EU by October 31, “with or without a deal”. Many Britishers believe that a nodeal Brexit is “reckless, irresponsible and unconscionable” because of the predicted disruptions, chaos and food and medicine shortages. Said Stephen Phipson, CEO of manufacturers’ organisation Make UK, “Investment is grinding to a halt. We need an orderly Brexit. We need a deal with the EU.”

That sentiment sparked resignations and stunning defections in Johnson’s own Conservative Party, enabling parliament to outlaw nodeal Brexit. Sacrificing their long, distinguished careers, 21 Tory MPs defied Johnson, choosing “country over party”. The illustrious list includes Philip Hammond, who was finance minister till two months ago, Winston Churchill’s grandson Nicholas Soames and Kenneth Clarke, currently the “Father of the House” who entered parliament almost 50 years ago, when Johnson was just six.