Important Hour For Johnson In Commons With PMQs, COVID Statement

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces an important hour or so in the House of Commons, with his premiership seen to be under significant threat.

• At the top of the hour he faces weekly PMQs session (link here). Sustained public and political anger at COVID lockdown-breaking parties at 10 Downing Street continue to dominate political discourse, with plummeting opinion poll ratings for Johnson's Conservatives risking a vote of no confidence in Johnson within the party.
• Immediately following PMQs, Johnson will deliver a statement on the COVID situation in England. The expectation is that with hospitalisations well below the level that could break the UK's hospital system, the 'Plan B' measures brought in during December 2021 will be relaxed from next week. This will see the 'work from home' guidance and use of 'COVID passports' end.
• In other circumstances the end to COVID restrictions and a sign that the UK has passed the peak of the Omicron wave might boost a gov't, but the good news has been thorougly drowned out by 'Partygate' scandal.
• Rumours circulating that the number of letters sent to the 1922 committee calling for a leadership contest is nearing the magic 54 number. If this number is reached a confidence vote in Johnson among all 360 Conservative MPs could happen within 24 hours. A majority (181) would need to vote no in order to remove Johnson from office.