UK Conservative Party Defeated in Key By-Election Strongholds... Johnson Faces 'Political Crisis'

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Conservative Party, led by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has been defeated in a by-election for a parliamentary seat in a stronghold constituency, according to reports by The Guardian and others on the 17th (local time). Prime Minister Johnson is facing a political crisis amid allegations that parties were held during the recent COVID-19 lockdown.

According to reports, in the by-election held yesterday in North Shropshire, central England, Liberal Democrat candidate Helen Morgan defeated Conservative candidate Neil Shastri-Hurst and was elected. Morgan said in her victory speech, "Tonight, the people of North Shropshire have spoken for the citizens of the UK. They have said loud and clear, 'Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the party is over.'"

This by-election was held after former MP Owen Paterson, who held the constituency for 15 years since 1997, resigned amid allegations of violating lobbying regulations. This area has been a stronghold of the Conservative Party and its predecessor, the Tory Party, governing continuously for 189 years except for just two years (1904?1906).

Recently, Prime Minister Johnson has been pushed into his biggest political crisis since taking office. Allegations surfaced that a Christmas party was held at the Prime Minister's office in mid-December last year during the COVID-19 lockdown. Johnson and key government officials consistently responded by saying they followed quarantine guidelines or that no party took place, but approval ratings plummeted. Internal party disputes over the introduction of vaccine passports also appear to have had an impact.

The UK is currently experiencing a surge in daily new COVID-19 cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant, setting new records every day. Yesterday, new cases exceeded 88,000, surpassing the previous day's record of about 78,000 by approximately 10,000.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.