What Bournemouth residents think about Boris Johnson resigning

Voters in all constituencies in the county have a Conservative MP, but after another round of Tory party in-fighting, are people losing faith in the party?

We spoke to residents in Bournemouth on the day the Prime Minister resigned as leader of the Conservative Party.

“I supported [Boris] as PM. Yeah, he’s made some gaffes, but I think now is the wrong time to be having a change of Prime Minister,” said Jerry Bliss. Citing the cost of living, the lingering pandemic, Ukraine, Russia, and China, Jerry did not have a rosy impression about the sudden turn of events amid so many mounting crises.

He described the government ministers who had gone to No. 10 Downing Street last night to tell Boris that his time was up, as ‘Judases in the cabinet’.

“No loyalty. And I think it’s a very short-sighted move. I say put up, shut up, and get on with the job they’ve been elected to do. All this constant sniping - there are more important issues at hand and they’ve picked the wrong time to argue.”

Others shared the same general unease about the political infighting during such a fragile time.

Read more: Boris Johnson's behaviour has been 'almost delusional', says Tobias Ellwood

Ross Campbell

Lorraine Wren is torn: “I’m ambivalent because I don’t really know who will take over, and ambivalent because we’re in such a mess at the moment with everything that whoever comes in - are they going to be any better? So I’m very ambivalent. On the one hand, yes, he [Boris] is clearly an amoral person and is everything everyone said he is, but I’m very concerned about what’s happening.”

Ms. Sanchez, from Spain, has been living in the UK for over twenty-five years. She doesn’t see Boris as a ‘bad or good person’, but says he has failed to find a Plan B for the aftermath and consequences of Brexit. Is she happy to see him go? “Yes. Because I don’t think there’s anyone worse than that.”

Despite Bournemouth’s Tory credentials, some residents were a lot more frank about their relief to see the back of Boris Johnson after so many scandals, regardless of what happens next or who replaces him.

Read more: Christchurch MP thanks Boris Johnson for his 'great service to our nation'

“I think he’s been a joke the whole time,” said barista Ross Campbell. “He’s just been a corrupt leader. I wouldn’t really vote Conservative anyway, I think he’s the worst of a bad bunch.”

Victory, a charity worker, thinks the Prime Minister should have resigned a 'long time ago’.

Jerry Bliss

“At the start of COVID, the decisions he made for the country impacted people not just financially but psychologically as well. Luckily, he’s resigning now and someone more qualified can step up and take the role. I’m glad he’s stepped down. I’m glad.”

He said: “For me there’s no preference [for next Prime Minister], as long as they can do a better job than Boris then anyone is welcome.”

As for the first impression of the runners and riders of the next leadership election, none seemed palatable to residents. There was a pervasive sense of apathy towards those ministers and backbenchers waiting in the wings to declare a bid, with no obvious contender.

Read more: Boris Johnson's message to British public as he leaves 'best job in the world'

"I wouldn't pick between any of them, but Johnson did seem particularly bad." said resident Christine.

Rishi Sunak once tipped as the obvious candidate to replace Johnson didn’t have much support.

Boris Johnson flanked by Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak

“He hasn’t made any good choices either. He’s not dealt with the financial situation correctly. We’ve got skyrocketing fuel which is adding to the inflation. He should have nipped that in the bud, and kept prices down, but now it’s free reign. He’s done a bad job. So no, not him for Prime Minister. If he can’t handle the economy, he can’t handle the prime ministership." said Mr Bliss.

Mrs. Wren would like to champion the MP for Bournemouth East, Tobias Ellwood.

"You know who springs to mind for me, and he's my local MP, I've met him: Tobias Ellwood.

"I found him straight-down-the-line. Yes, he was involved with the expenses scandal but not as much as the others. He's a family man, he's ex-army... the only thing that worries me about him is that I think he could take us into war. He's very pro-action, typical ex-army and if it wasn't for the war [in Ukraine] I would say Tobias [for PM]."

For some people, there are no names amongst the current ranks of the Conservative party that they wanted to see in the mix to lead the country.

Read more: 'Johnson leaves the most unremovable stain on his character,' says Simon Hoare

After cheering ‘it’s about time” when the news of Boris Johnson’s resignation broke, Denise Wilcox - who never votes Conservative - thinks it unlikely she will be won over by a fresh face.

“The only one I didn’t dislike intensely was Rory Stewart. I didn’t mind him. I thought he talked well, and he just seemed as if he had more of a moral compass than most of the others. The rest, I don’t have any time for.”

But there was no great enthusiasm for Sir Kier Starmer, the leader of the opposition, either. David Felton wouldn’t vote for him: “Of course, we’re waiting for his Beergate thing too. So we’ll see what happens there. He might be out as well.”

Nor would Mr. Bliss: “He’s had so many open goals and he’s let them go. He’s no use either.”