"In Johnson's case, the main plank of his defence was either that he had been told nothing at all, or that what he was told (by officials or advisers) was selective at best."
"For all his many documented sins, Johnson had always avoided that most heinous of them: the public sacrifice of others to save himself."
"Looking back, we should not have been surprised that on one such occasion (when a full turnout was requested) only Michael Ellis and I had answered the call by the time the PM got to his feet."
"Anybody who has ever served in the armed forces will tell you that the difference between officers and other ranks isn't intellect, bravery or leadership qualities, it is accountability."
The political atmosphere resembles the summer of 2022, marked by Boris Johnson's struggles with integrity amid Partygate and a deputy chief whip's resignation. Johnson's defense relied on claims of ignorance regarding events, which lacked credibility. Unlike Johnson, who avoided sacrificing others for self-preservation, Keir Starmer's leadership is criticized for accountability issues. Observers note the painful loyalty and disappointment among colleagues during Johnson's confrontations, emphasizing the distinction between leadership accountability and the expectations placed on prime ministers.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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