Introduction

The United Kingdom has indeed experienced significant political instability since 2019, with three Prime Ministers in as many years. Boris Johnson’s tenure as Prime Minister, which ended in October 2022, left behind several unresolved issues and a complex legacy that continues to impact British politics.

Political Instability

The UK’s recent political turmoil can be traced back to Boris Johnson’s premiership, which began in July 2019 and ended in September 2022. His resignation was followed by Liz Truss’s brief 50-day tenure, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in British history. Rishi Sunak then took office in October 2022, inheriting a host of challenges.

Boris Johnson’s Legacy and Unresolved Issues

Constitutional Challenges

Johnson’s premiership was marked by an impatience with constitutional checks and balances, which has left lasting effects on British politics:

Normalization of norm-breaking: Johnson’s willingness to depart from political conventions has potentially widened the field of what is possible for future prime ministers, making the system more “stretchy” than before.

Undermining of institutional independence: Johnson’s government attempted to constrain the independence of bodies like the Electoral Commission and placed limits on judicial review.

Strained relations with civil service: Johnson’s failure to defend the civil service against attacks from his ministers contributed to an unprecedented breakdown in relations between the government and civil servants.

Brexit and Its Aftermath

While Johnson succeeded in “getting Brexit done,” the issue continues to have repercussions:

Constitutional stalemate: Brexit intensified centralizing tendencies, leading to controversies like the Internal Market Bill, which repatriated key regulatory powers to Westminster from devolved administrations.

Scotland’s independence movement: Johnson’s Brexit campaign and subsequent actions as Prime Minister have fueled support for Scottish independence, leaving a constitutional challenge for his successors.

Economic Challenges

Johnson’s “leveling up” agenda, aimed at reducing regional inequalities, largely fizzled out, leaving behind:

Persistent regional disparities: The stark differences in growth and prosperity between various parts of the UK remain unaddressed.

Economic instability: Johnson’s successor inherited an economy grappling with record inflation and the threat of recession.

Political Trust and Integrity

Johnson’s tenure was marred by scandals that eroded public trust:

Party-gate: The scandal surrounding parties held at 10 Downing Street during COVID-19 lockdowns led to Johnson being fined for breaking the law.

Erosion of the “good chap theory”: Johnson’s behavior undermined the longstanding belief that politicians can be trusted to adhere to shared understandings of good conduct.

What let to his resignation

Boris Johnson’s resignation as Prime Minister in July 2022 and later as an MP in June 2023 was the result of a series of scandals and controversies that ultimately eroded his support within the Conservative Party and the wider public.

Brexit consequences

Long-term Outlook

Economists widely agree that Brexit will continue to adversely affect the UK economy in the medium and long term:

Persistent Impact

The negative effects of Brexit are intensifying over time, suggesting structural changes rather than short-term disruptions.

Income Reduction

Brexit is expected to reduce the UK’s real per capita income in the long term.

Investment Decline

Brexit-induced uncertainty has led to reduced business investment and employment.

While some sectors, such as services exports to the EU, have shown resilience, the overall economic picture indicates that the UK is indeed suffering from the effects of Brexit, with projections suggesting these challenges are likely to persist and potentially worsen in the coming years.

Conclusion

Boris Johnson’s legacy is characterized by constitutional controversies, unresolved Brexit-related issues, economic challenges, and a decline in political trust. These issues continue to shape British politics and present significant challenges for current and future leaders to address.