As the Commonwealth leaders rejected his attempt to unseat secretary-general Baroness Scotland today, Boris Johnson made light of another electoral setback.
As he was questioned about the failure of attempts to replace the former Labour Cabinet member, dubbed “Baroness Brazen” following a string of controversy, the prime minister made a jest that it was a “wonderful day for democracy.”
The UK criticized her management of the group and backed Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica’s foreign minister, taking over in her place.
According to sources, the former Labour attorney general was expected to lose her seat during today’s meeting in Rwanda, making her the first secretary-general to not be re-elected for a second term.
But in the end, Lady Scotland won by a margin of 27 to 24.
What is the Commonwealth, Mr. Johnson said during a news conference during the summit? It is a remarkable club of 54 nations that share ideals, particularly the concept of democracy.
I get along well with Baroness Scotland and have since I assumed the position of foreign secretary, and I anticipate doing so for the foreseeable future.
“The Commonwealth is at a critical juncture.” People are turning their attention more and more toward this institution, and more and more nations desire to join it as they recognize its significance.
Today, Ms. Johnson Smith tweeted: “Thank you to all the nations and citizens who helped me on this voyage!
“God wasn’t ready for me to leave Jamaica yet, as I told many of you if I didn’t make it through.
Sincere congratulations to Baroness Scotland and much love always. I’ll keep serving.
Before the most recent defeat, Mr. Johnson had already suffered a double blow from home Tory by-election losses.
Tuesday, Liz Truss, the UK’s foreign secretary, assured lawmakers that Ms. Johnson Smith has their backing.
Claims that Ms. Johnson Smith is being utilized as a pawn by the British government in a struggle for control of the Commonwealth have been refuted by Ms. Johnson Smith.
She expressed her appreciation for Boris Johnson’s support, but she called it “offensive” to imply that she was just as much Jamaica’s pick as she was the UK’s proxy candidate.
Claims that Baroness Scotland withheld a report on Commonwealth funding have been refuted.
The study with suggestions for future funding was delivered earlier this month to the Commonwealth secretariat, the organization she oversees.
Following accusations of cronyism, the Commonwealth’s largest donors decided to temporarily cut back on funding in 2020.
A Commonwealth spokesman refuted claims that the report’s release was purposefully postponed until after the leadership vote.