Boris Johnson is at crisis point as Prime Minister, with cabinet ministers resigning – but Lincolnshire’s MPs are maintaining their silence on the situation (not so much on the county border though).
The Prime Minister has come under immense pressure following allegations that Chris Pincher, the Deputy Chief Whip who resigned from his government role last week, groped two men at a private members’ club.
It was revealed that Boris Johnson was aware of formal complaints about his colleague’s “inappropriate behaviour” while Pincher was a Foreign Office minister, despite ministers previously repeating that the PM did not know.
This latest scandal has resulted in a Conservative MP revolt, with more than a dozen ministers resigning from roles in the past 24 hours – most notably frontbenchers Rishi Sunak as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sajid Javid as Health Secretary.
They have been replaced by former Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and ex-Downing Street Chief of Staff Steve Barclay, as Chancellor and Health Secretary respectively. A total of 21 resignations from government have been recorded within a day.
Louth and Horncastle MP Victoria Atkins
Louth and Horncastle’s Victoria Atkins also resigned from her role as Justice Minister on Wednesday, citing concerns over integrity, decency, respect and professionalism within government.
Despite the chaos surrounding him, Mr Johnson told the House of Commons on Wednesday that he will keep going as leader of the country, during a fiery Prime Minister’s Questions.
The Lincolnite contacted all eleven Greater Lincolnshire MPs to see if they still backed Boris Johnson or felt he should now resign given the growing pressure. Just one of them responded at the time of publication.
Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh.
Gainsborough MP Edward Leigh responded to say that he “remains a firm supporter” of Boris Johnson. At the point of reporting he is the only MP in the county to comment.
We asked the MPs what their message of reassurance to Lincolnshire voters would be following the latest unrest within government, as well as what it could mean for the future of the country. Questions that ultimately were not answered.
The MPs in question are:
Andrew Percy – Brigg & Goole
Caroline Johnson – Sleaford & North Hykeham
Gareth Davies – Grantham & Stamford
Holly Mumby-Croft – Scunthorpe
John Hayes – South Holland & The Deepings
Karl McCartney – Lincoln
Lia Nici – Great Grimsby
Martin Vickers – Cleethorpes
Matt Warman – Boston & Skegness
Victoria Atkins – Louth & Horncastle
However, across the Lincolnshire border in Nottinghamshire, Newark MP Robert Jenrick called for the Prime Minister’s resignation on Wednesday afternoon, saying the country would be “best served by new leadership”.
Newark MP Robert Jenrick calling for the Prime Minister to resign.
While Lincoln MP Karl McCartney did not provide a comment regarding the situation, he did take time to retweet Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer, who stated that he did not call out Boris Johnson in the Commons because “politics is about getting things done for the people that need it.”
Your view – fine. Not mine. And I’m still here. You left.
Politics is about getting things done for the people that need it, and I’m doing my best for them. https://t.co/1AovQadz9T
It is worth noting, however, that within Mr McCartney’s Twitter bio it states “RTs [retweets] obvs [obviously] not endorsements”.
We asked a few people in Lincoln their thoughts on the matter, with one person suggesting: “If even his own party don’t trust him, how are the British public supposed to?”
Local resident Nathan Wilson said the reason Lincolnshire’s MPs are keeping quiet is because they have “the same morals” as the Prime Minister, before declaring “it’s time to go Boris it really is that simple”.
Ben Lloyd stated that this current government are “not conservative at all” and have “zero backbone” which is why “everyone is leaving”.
May Jones commented: “Rats and sinking ships come to mind. It took them all long enough to realise that their party lacked integrity, decency, respect etc. The only difference is that they now feel they are backing a loser.”
It has been reported that the 1922 Committee, which holds the power to change the rules of no confidence votes, will discuss the prospect of a new ballot at 5pm this evening.
Lincoln MP Karl McCartney is a member of the committee and has been vocal in his support of the Prime Minister in recent months, though notably he has been more quiet after recent developments.
A vote of no confidence was last called on Boris Johnson just one month ago, which he narrowly survived despite 148 Conservative MPs voting against his leadership.
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An iconic hand-built Triumph sports car, the first of its kind to ever be created, was on display in Lincoln on Monday for motoring enthusiasts to enjoy.
The two-seater UK prototype car, named the TS2, was built by hand in 1953 in response to the MG sports car of the era,
If formed the basis of the Triumph TR range of sports cars which ceased production in the early 1980s, and car lovers were treated with the opportunity to see it in person right here in Lincoln on Monday.
A host of other Triumph cars were on display on Monday. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The hand-built car was the first right-hand drive Triumph TR2. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The impressive prototype TS2 was joined by a series of other Triumph cars for a day through the county on Monday, August 15, starting at Uncle Henry’s Farm Shop before arriving outside Lincoln Cathedral and eventually stopping off at the Windmill in Heckington.
On Tuesday, the touring continues as it attends a gathering Bicker at 10.45am, followed by a trip to the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Museum at East Kirkby at 11.45am.
Plenty gathered to have a look around the vehicles. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
A car lover’s dream day! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The stops in Lincolnshire form part of a Great British tour for the legendary vehicle, and it will be going to Derbyshire after visiting our county – bringing to an end the UK appearances.
See more photos of the vehicles from Steve Smailes below:
The Game, an icon in the 21st century rap music business, will be bringing his array of hits to Lincoln Engine Shed for his first UK shows in over five years this December.
Jayceon Terrell Taylor is better known as The Game, and the 42-year-old Compton-born rapper soared to fame in the early 2000s as an up-and-coming star on Dr Dre’s Aftermath Records label – selling millions of album copies throughout his illustrious career.
His debut album The Documentary boasted some of hip-hop’s biggest ever hits, including How We Do and Hate It Or Love It featuring fellow rap icon 50 Cent.
His lyrical soul-searching through tough upbringings has made him a favourite in the genre, and he is still going strong to this day – announcing a tour of the UK and Ireland to accompany his new album Drillmatic – Mind vs. Heart.
The tour will be The Game’s first in the United Kingdom for over five years, and it will see one of rap music’s most iconic names perform right here in Lincoln on December 5 – as he brings the energy to the Engine Shed.
Tickets will cost £33 and go on sale via the Engine Shed website at 10am on Monday, August 22. Given the subject matter of The Game’s songs, the show is unsurprisingly an over-18s event.
The Grammy winning rapper was part of a major talking point earlier in 2022, when his lead single Eazy contained a candid verse by Kanye West, in which he discussed his public divorce with Kim Kardashian.
His tenth studio album, Drillmatic – Mind vs. Heart, was released on August 12 and contained collaborations from major artists including Drake, Rick Ross, Chris Brown and the aforementioned Kanye West.
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