If it is not, then the "partygate" campaign will rebound on its progenitors. Not only will Johnson survive as PM, but the whole New Tory ethos of hypocrisy and lies will be given a boost. Already the legend of Boris Johnson as Great Leader beset by pygmies is being promoted, for instance by David TC Davies on Radio Wales yesterday. Johnson saved the nation from Covid by promoting vaccination. Johnson leads the free world in its resistance to Russian domination. Never mind that the virus was allowed to take hold in the UK by two months of his government's inaction or that Russian money has his party in thrall, the legend will prevail.
One can understand the motivation behind the decision to mount the major attack on Johnson over the Downing Street parties It was felt that the details of the epidemic or of political corruption were either not understood or felt to be irrelevant by the ordinary voter. On the other hand, everybody understands law-breaking and hypocrisy, especially when ordinary people were prevented from visiting dying relatives while Westminster special advisers and civil servants were wheeling suitcases full of booze into their offices for less-than-socially-distanced celebrations. "Partygate" would stand for the whole of Johnson's transgressions.
The small number of fines levied on the key players already makes the offences seem comparatively trivial. Unless Sue Gray's report counteracts that impression, then surely the opposition to Johnson within his own party will dwindle and the whole reform campaign become ineffective.
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Photos from one or other of the two parties held on 13th November 2020 may not be enough to skewer the prime minister. Even after ITV released them yesterday, there were voices from the public saying that they were sick and tired of partygate.
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