Barely in office, the British Prime Minister has already lost three important votes in the lower house. First, the deputies wrest control of the agenda in Parliament. Then they vote for a law that would force the government to apply for a Brexit postponement in Brussels if in doubt. And finally, the government fails clearly in the attempt to start new elections. It is an unprecedented false start, a humiliation - actually.
But Boris Johnson grins.
With relish, Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn, who is not in the room at the time, takes the button. The Labor leader is "the first opposition leader in the democratic history of our country who rejects the invitation to vote," jokes Johnson. Joyful cheering at the Tories.
The fight between government and opposition in the British Parliament has long since become a tactic spectacle. And the evidence thickens, that Johnson has taken into account the recent bankruptcies, that even everything goes according to plan.
Above all, one can assume, stands Johnson's big goal, which certainly remains after this evening: new elections. Even without the recent departures, without the last night's outbreaks, the government in parliament was virtually unable to act. For months, the majority in the lower house are too complicated.
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Brexit opponents: outraged and costumedThe chances of a Brexit deal? Vanishingly small. An unregulated exit on October 31, as Johnson wants it, if necessary? Reject most MPs. Ex-Prime Minister Theresa May has failed in this dilemma.
But unlike May, Johnson does not even seek consensus - on the contrary. He even drives openly the division of his own party. New elections are to shift the power blocks in the lower house in Johnson's favor. Preparations have been in progress for weeks. These are radical steps that could change the British political landscape in a lasting way.
1) Johnson makes the Tories a Brexit party:
When Johnson became prime minister in July, he cleared the cabinet. Moderate Tories such as Chancellor of the Exchequer Philipp Hammond had to go and as a precaution voluntarily threw down. For this, Johnson brought Brexit-Ultras and right-wing politicians into the government.
After the parliamentary summer break Johnson pushed the clear-cut to the top: All 21 rebels who had supported an application on Tuesday, which even created the opportunity for the legislative initiative against a hard Brexit were summarily thrown out of the faction - and thus from the party ,
Apparently Johnson wants to get rid of all Tories that do not follow his EU-critical course - to give the conservatives as sharp a profile as a nationalist Brexit party. In an election campaign that would completely revolve around the European question, the Conservatives could use this logic to push back the right-wing populist Brexit party of Nigel Farage.
2) Johnson is preparing populist election promises:
20,000 new police officers, more money for education and billions for the health system NHS - in the midst of Brexit chaos makes the government big domestic promises. These are campaign-ready announcements. Finance Minister Sajid Javid said on Wednesday at the presentation of budgets that more "people's priorities" will be spent.
3) Johnson staged a fight between people and parliament:
"Surrender Law" - so Johnson now calls his opponents' attempt to prevent a hard Brexit. That sounds a little bit like betrayal, and that's probably what it should be: Parliament is tying the government's hands, preventing a good deal in Brussels - Johnson and his people now want to create that impression. And: he does not want elections - but "this house" leaves him no other choice.
Johnson, many suspect now, could stage in a campaign as a man who enforces the Brexit in the interests of the people - against the opposition of the deputies. And: recent defeats in Parliament help him with this story. In fact, the fight against parliament has long since begun, not only in light of the recent rebel spell at the Tories: this coming week, the prime minister wants to silence all members of parliament by a forced break.
In new elections, the Tories would score across party lines across the Brexit supporters, according to this plan - while Labor would rub in the EU-friendly camp. Conversely, this inevitably meant Tory losses in more liberal constituencies. For this, Johnson's people in traditional working-class regions, such as the Midlands, could become stronger.
All this remains a huge risk. Political sentiment is staggering, with Johnson losing the election, a victorious opposition blowing off Brexit. The consequences of the reorientation of the Tory party are hardly foreseeable. But Johnson is a gambler when it comes to his own power, as he demonstrated in 2016 when he sided with the Brexit advocates to increase his chances at the Prime Minister.
Video: "Dictator or Democrat?"
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As a new appointment, Johnson is officially aiming for October 15. In the event of a triumph, the prime minister could reverse the anti-no-deal law, if that is the case. Because the government is working hard at the same time to slow down the initiative until the suspension of parliament next week. The Tory representatives torpedoed a ruling on the subject in the House of Lords with more than 80 amendments, which now have to be debated.
At any rate, Johnson's recent defeat in parliament is unlikely to bother him. It may be said that he will try a new application on Monday. In other ways, it could still come to new elections - such as by Johnson's own Tories make a motion of no confidence in the government.
In the opposition, there is great concern about falling into a trap. Many Labor politicians seem confused. Actually, the party has been calling for new elections for months. But in the polls you stand there bad. In addition, there is the concern that Johnson may postpone the elections to November, when Parliament is already dissolved and unable to resist. Therefore, Corbyn demands: First, the Queen must sign a law that prevents a hard Brexit. Others in the party, like Brexit Shadow Minister Keir Starmer, are beginning to see that Johnson is actually applying for a moratorium in Brussels before engaging in new elections.
Chaos and confusion in Labor. Just to Johnson's taste.
