UK scandals confirm international skepticism of Johnson premiership

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson is making headlines around the world for all the wrong reasons, raising concern that his struggle to remain in office in the face of serial scandals is diverting attention from important foreign policy and domestic issues.

In a two-decade political career as a parliamentarian and London mayor, the former journalist's ebullient personality and reputation as a rule-breaker endeared him to a large swathe of the United Kingdom's public, including many who had not traditionally supported his ruling Conservative Party.

His belated decision in 2016 to back the campaign for the country to leave the European Union was seen as one factor in that year's successful "out" vote.

During the political wrangling that followed, he succeeded in unseating his prime ministerial predecessor, Theresa May, and went on to secure a substantial election victory in late-2019 by promising a weary public to "Get Brexit Done".

The characteristics that endeared Johnson to a large section of the UK population had a less positive impact beyond its borders, particularly in the post-referendum period in which he served as foreign minister.

A typical reaction at the time from the United States cable television network CNN said his appointment to the post provoked "shock, no small amount of amusement and, in some quarters, horror" given Johnson's history of criticism of foreign leaders and gaffes during trips abroad.

A US State Department spokesman was caught on camera stifling a grin when the appointment was announced.

The reaction from Europe, stung by the UK's Brexit vote, was less amused. Johnson's French counterpart described him as "a liar with his back to the wall", while the then German foreign minister said of his appointment: "To be honest, I find this outrageous."

Johnson's indifferent tenure as the UK's top diplomat did little to undermine the judgment of these foreign critics. His international reputation as a duplicitous buffoon helps explain why the overseas press has been reveling in his present scandals.

Top of the list is the "partygate" affair, involving revelations that staff and officials at Johnson's domestic headquarters in Downing Street were enjoying alcohol-fueled social events while the rest of the country was under strict COVID-19 lockdown.

The Johnson government's attempt to drag out an issue that now involves investigations by both a senior official and the police has done little to dent domestic outrage. Latest polls show that more than 60 percent of the UK public believes the prime minister should resign, far more than a single party can ever hope to win at the ballot box.

A UK public that was forgiving about Johnson's moral failings and tenuous relationship with the truth appears to have drawn the line at activities that offended its traditional commitment to fair play. "Long inured to his scandals, Britons seem to have drawn the line at partying through the worst of the pandemic," according to the New York Times.

The US newspaper posted a live commentary with a UK comedian who lampooned Johnson as a liar and compared him to former President Donald Trump. The video swiftly went viral on both sides of the Atlantic.

In France, Le Monde said the "partygate" revelations had blown up Johnson's image as a combative patriot and exposed his true political creed: "not conservatism, but a mixture of populism and cynicism (the two ills often go together)."

Germany's Suddeutsche Zeitung wrote of Johnson: "He has always been a seducer and a loudmouth. Always lied when it is in his interest. He is the great illusionist of British politics."

Beyond this attitude of "we told you so", there are nevertheless deeper concerns that the Johnson debacle — whether he survives in office or not — has further undermined the UK's international status and influence at a critical time.

Some saw it as symbolic of the UK's declining relevance that Johnson felt obliged to postpone a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on resolving tensions in eastern Europe so that he could address Parliament about "partygate".

David Lammy, foreign affairs spokesman of the opposition Labour Party, said: "Amid a dangerous crisis threatening peace in Europe, a vital diplomatic opportunity has been missed as Boris Johnson scrambles to hold on to his job. These are the real world consequences of a distracted prime minister unfit for office running a government in disarray."

While domestic politicians fear that Johnson's premiership has further undermined public confidence in the parliamentary system, foreign observers lament the fate of a nation at the hands of a leader who had promised to put the "Great" back into Great Britain.

The author is a senior media consultant for China Daily UK. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.