FACING STIFF CRITICISM, JOHNSON LIFTS COVID RESTRICTIONS

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, fighting for his political life, said Wednesday that he would lift almost all remaining coronavirus restrictions in England, hoping to stanch a devastating loss of support over charges that he lied about parties in Downing Street during lockdowns.

Johnson’s announcement during a heated appearance in Parliament was a significant gamble by a besieged leader who is almost out of moves. It appeared to be an effort not just to change the subject but also to win over restive Conservative lawmakers, nearly 100 of whom rebelled against him when he imposed the measures last month.

But as the prime minister faced yet another chorus of calls to resign, and after news that one Conservative legislator had defected to the opposition Labour Party, the announcement did little to dispel the furor over the parties. The stream of disclosures about illicit social gatherings have engulfed Johnson’s government and emboldened mutinous lawmakers to push for a no-confidence vote that could topple him.

Whether the lawmakers reach the threshold of 54 letters necessary to prompt a vote is now the all-consuming question in Westminster. Even if Johnson were to survive — which would require winning a simple majority of Conservative lawmakers — it would most likely cripple his leadership.

In easing COVID restrictions a week before they were scheduled to expire, Johnson said that he was trying to restore England’s “ancient liberties,” a reference to the country’s deeprooted tradition of individual freedoms.

It was one of several crowd-pleasing moves the government has made this week as Johnson tried to shore up support among the Conservative base.

Johnson said that the government would in the coming days drop its guidance on wearing face masks on public transportation and in school classrooms, encourage workers to return to their offices and end the requirement that people show vaccine certificates or proof of recovery from a recent coronavirus infection to enter large public events.

Yet none of it seemed to slow the momentum of Johnson’s political unraveling. On Wednesday, minutes before the prime minister appeared in Parliament, a Conservative lawmaker, Christian Wakeford, announced that he would join the Labour Party, delivering a stinging blow to Johnson.

Johnson’s earlier public appearances not only failed to convince his internal critics but also seemed to deepen the crisis.

He showed more fight in Parliament on Wednesday and again insisted he would not resign.