Evening Standard Comment: The vote on an inquiry into Partygate is a test for our democracy

After the apology comes the vote — will MPs back an inquiry into whether Boris Johnson misled the House of Commons? This will be a critical test not only of the Prime Minister’s leadership and grip on his party, but on the ability of our Parliamentary democracy to trump partisan loyalty.

On the day of the vote itself, Johnson will be in India. It is not the first time he has left the country during a sticky situation at home. Recall the trip to Kabul in 2018 during a vote on the Heathrow expansion or his visit to Northumberland last year while Parliament held an emergency debate on sleaze.

While he is away, Tory MPs face a pivotal choice: protect the Prime Minister from further scrutiny or exercise their conscience. They will be aware that this is not the end of the matter and Johnson could face multiple fines for additional breaches of Covid-19 regulations.

There are echoes of the Owen Paterson affair — the effective starting gun of Tory sleaze allegations which culminated in yesterday’s apology to the House — when the Prime Minister corralled backbenchers to override the MP for North Shropshire’s suspension, only to immediately U-turn.

Johnson should know by now that he can whip his backbenchers but he can’t fool the people. As such, his 80-seat majority may protect him against defeat in the Commons, but it is no shield against public opinion.