British elections: Boris Johnson faces first electoral test since 'partygate'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces his first electoral test since “partygate” as voters in the United Kingdom head to the polls on Thursday to vote in the first local election since the scandal broke.

Although no change will occur in Parliament from Thursday’s votes, it will give the Conservative Party an important insight into the views of the country at large. Johnson’s leadership has received mixed reviews, but his response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has helped soften the blow of a fine over his breaking COVID-19 protocols during lockdown. However, the scandal has damaged the Conservative Party’s reputation, especially when party leaders failed to condemn Johnson publicly.