Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie resigns from UK Government, tells Johnson his position is ‘untenable’

05 Jul 2022 5 minute read
Virginia Crosbie

Ynys Môn’s MP Virginia Crosbie has resigned from the UK Government.

She resigned as PPS to the Wales Office as Boris Johnson’s government was hit by a wave of resignations this evening. Earlier, Rishi Sunak has quit as chancellor and Sajid Javid has resigned as health secretary.

Virginia Crosbie, who was only elected under Boris Johnson’s leadership in 2019, said that the Prime Minister’s position was now “untenable”.

“I am of the view that if you continue in office then you risk irrevocably harming this government, and the Conservative party and will hand the keys of Downing Street to a Labour Party unfit to govern,” she said.

She cited the handling of the Chris Pincher row, after it emerged earlier today that the Prime Minister had “forgotten” about being told of previous allegations of “inappropriate” conduct.

“I have no idea what is happening at Downing Street but it appears you are either badly advised or unable to change or reform the dysfunctional operation at the centre of the government you lead,” she said.

Meanwhile, Andrew RT Davies, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd, said that Boris Johnson needed to show that he had control of the party.

“I’ve always said it was essential for the Prime Minister to hold the confidence of our country, party and parliament,” he said.

“It’s disappointing that in recent months the government has struggled to deliver on its important agenda and manifesto commitments that were overwhelmingly endorsed in 2019.

“The Prime Minister must now prove that he can deliver on his mandate.”

Her full statement:

Dear Prime Minister.

I write to inform you of my resignation as Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Welsh Office. It has been an honour to serve in the department alongside my wonderful colleagues.

Sadly, I am forced to say that the sheer number of allegations of impropriety and illegality — many of them centred around Downing Street and your Premiership – is quite simply making your position untenable.

I am of the view that if you continue in office then you risk irrevocably harming this government, and the Conservative party and will hand the keys of Downing Street to a Labour Party unfit to govern.

The inaccurate and contradictory statements over what you knew about the former Deputy Chief Whip’s conduct before you appointed him was the last straw. I cannot continue to defend your actions to my Ynys Mon constituents who are rightly very angry.

Like others, I have given you the benefit of the doubt on many occasions. This was in the hope you would gain control of the situation. However, I believe the situation is becoming worse.

I have no idea what is happening at Downing Street but it appears you are either badly advised or unable to change or reform the dysfunctional operation at the centre of the government you lead.

This dysfunction in no way reflects on the brilliant work many ministers are doing in other areas of government — often despite what is happening around yourself and your immediate entourage.

The situation is even more distressing when I consider what you have achieved with Brexit, in getting the country through the pandemic and in your leadership regarding the war in Ukraine.

I am also incredibly grateful for the support you have shown for nuclear power here on Anglesey and what that means to my constituents. My hope is this will be a lasting legacy.

However, these considerable achievements continue to be overshadowed by the simple calculation I believe the country has made – that you cannot be trusted to tell the truth. This can never be a position to inhabit for anyone in public life, let alone a Prime Minister.

The party I love, and this government are now facing continued distraction, scandal, and allegations of cover up. It is not representative of the vast majority of my colleagues.

They are hardworking, committed MPs and ministers who care deeply about their constituents and their country. They have supported you when many would have not done so. That is to their credit, but I am of the view that support is being abused.

I know the Conservative Party and this government are not broken at the core, but I believe they are now broken at the top. I fully understand my junior position in the government means little. I do this only because my conscience asks it of me and my silence on this most important of matters — ethics in public life – is in danger of condoning your actions.

You have achieved much, but I have no confidence you can achieve anything further other than leading the party into opposition and further debasing the office you have the honour to hold.

I know you love this country. You can serve it one last time by leaving office.

Yours sincerely,

Virginia Crosbie


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
12 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

There is a god and she’s a socialist, no but seriously choose your friends carefully…bring on the election and bid farewell to the ‘atomic kitten’…

Last edited 2 years ago by Mab Meirion
Y Bardd Cocos
Y Bardd Cocos
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Dos dros y bont, ‘rhen Jini
A gwynt teg ar dy ôl di
A’r ynys las â dafn o ras
A dry yn fôr o wyrddni.

Gareth
Gareth
2 years ago

I am not a Labour voter, but the sheer hypocrisy of this woman saying the Labour party are “unfit to govern” beggars belief. The Tory PM a criminal and liar, Tory MP resigned for watching porn in the commons, Tory MP arrested on suspicion of rape in May, Pincher a serial groper, and ( ex Tory MP) Imran Ahmad Khan jailed for sexual abuse of a 15 year old boy.I do not recall anything near this level of depraved behaviour coming from any political party bar her own.Shocking choice of words by her.

Last edited 2 years ago by Gareth
Leigh Richards
Leigh Richards
2 years ago

Phrase ‘rats deserting a sinking ship’ springs to mind…

Mick Tems
Mick Tems
2 years ago
Reply to  Leigh Richards

Sorry, Leigh, for the inadvertent duplication – great minds think alike!

Kerry Davies
Kerry Davies
2 years ago

Tens of thousands unnecessary dead from Covid, tens of thousands dead from austerity and hundreds of thousands of kids going hungry yet she resigns because a Tory gropes Tories?
Having seen the disgusting, diseased and vile mess left after a Tory conference where Thatcher had Jimmy Savile in the next suite to hers I thought Tory sexual incontinence was “normal”?

Dai Rob
Dai Rob
2 years ago

Bless her!! :/

Fi yn unig
Fi yn unig
2 years ago

The astonishing brass neck of a Tory suggesting any other party being ‘unfit to govern’. I nearly spat my teeth out AND THEY’RE MY OWN!

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

If you ask me the authors of Britain Unchained should be arrested on a charge of sedition…

Annwyl Elfyn Llwyd, do you think that there is a possibility that Priti Patel-Kwarsi Kwarteng-Dominic Raab-Liz Truss-Chris Skidmore could/should be investigated for such a crime?

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Sorry Britannia Unchained…

Mick Tems
Mick Tems
2 years ago

Tory rats deserting the sinking ship?

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

Only now Atomic kitten Virginia Crosbie resigns citing Boris Johnson’s position as untenable? What, so over 170,000 people dying of Covid due to their pandemic party free-for-all. £37 billion wasted on failed track & trace app. £16 billion to furlough fraud. Attack of Welsh devolution. The unjust repealing of Wales Trade Union Act. Boris Johnson aluding to Keir Starmer aiding paedophile Jimmy Savile. Tory donors to paying for No 10 refurbishment and a family holidays. The manifesto lies about rail electrification between Cardiff & Swansea. Boris Johnson promising over 3yrs ago to free up the nostrils of the dragon with… Read more »

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.