While announcing his resignation as the leader of the Conservative Party, British Prime Minsiter (PM) Boris Johnson affirmed that he would give his replacement “as much support” as possible in “taking [the] country forward.”
Speaking at Downing Street, Johnson said that it was clear that the Conservatives were looking for a new leader and a new PM. He revealed that he had accepted the suggestion of Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the Tories’ backbench Members of Parliament (MPs), to expedite the process to find a new leader, until which time he will serve as interim PM.
The outgoing PM expressed his dismay in “[giving] up the best job in the world” and thanked the civil services, police, emergency services, armed forces, and National Health Service for their support.
I want to thank you, the British public, for the immense privilege of serving you as Prime Minister.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 7, 2022
I want you to know that from now until my successor is in place, your interests will be served and the government of the country will be carried on.https://t.co/T4kJoxmZ8q pic.twitter.com/Hn4rDUV319
Johnson also thanked the people of the United Kingdom (UK) for giving his government the “incredible mandate,” noting that he had achieved the “biggest Conservative majority since 1987” and the “biggest share of the vote since 1979.” He stressed that it was this support that pushed him to resist stepping down for the past several weeks despite increasing calls for him to do so.
The PM said that he is “immensely proud” of his government’s achievements, particularly “getting Brexit done,” re-empowering the parliament to make its own laws after over 50 years, combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring an expedited vaccine rollout, and “leading the West” against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
To this end, he revealed that he had tried to impress upon his colleagues that it would be “eccentric to change governments when we are delivering so much.” However, he noted that he was ‘unsuccessful’ in these attempts.
I spoke to President @ZelenskyyUa earlier to reiterate the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine – we will supply vital defensive aid for as long as it's needed.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 7, 2022
Thank you for your friendship Volodymyr, you’re a hero, everybody loves you. pic.twitter.com/hfCkH72Pln
In this regard, Tory MP Simon Hoare said Johnson’s position had become untenable due to dozens of resignations from within the party, saying, “He has to go and go means go.” Another party member said, “We need to be rid of Boris as soon as possible. He’s too toxic.”
Meanwhile, opposition Labour Party leader, Keir Starmer, said that while his decision to step down was “good news,” the UK is now face with the challenge of ensuring a “proper change of government.”
Moreover, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted that Johnson should not be allowed to retain his position temporarily and said that calling for fresh elections would be “in the interests of the UK as a whole.”
We are stuck with a government that isn’t functioning.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 7, 2022
The Prime Minister needs to go completely - not cling on for a few months.
Britain needs a fresh start. If the Tory party doesn’t get rid of him, Labour will act in the national interest and bring a vote of no confidence. pic.twitter.com/SqL6VUAnLR
Johnson’s decision to step down comes following a major internal revolt after over 50 Tory MPs stepped down this week, alongside various envoys and aides. The mass resignations came shortly after Johnson’s spokesperson admitted on Tuesday that the PM had been briefed about sexual misconduct allegations against Chris Pincher in 2019 but nonetheless appointed him as deputy chief whip in February.
Following these reports, British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid resigned from their Cabinet positions citing Johnson’s lack of “integrity” and “competence.” This set the ball rolling for a dozens of other Cabinet members and MPs.
Support for Boris Johnson’s leadership has been thinning over the past year, largely due to the Partygate scandal and the subsequent Sue Gray report, which detailed several lockdown parties that were held while COVID-19 social distancing measures were in place. He has also been criticised for introducing unilateral changes to the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU.
Furthermore, he has been crticised for the misappropriation of public funds and attempting to secure a high-profile position for a former mistress.
The PM has made the right decision.
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) July 7, 2022
The Government under Boris's leadership had many achievements - delivering Brexit, vaccines and backing Ukraine.
We need calmness and unity now and to keep governing while a new leader is found.
Meanwhile, the names of several candidates have been put forward to replace Johnson as PM. One of the most favoured candidates is Rishi Sunak, second most senior political leader in the parliament. Apart from Sunak, Health Secretary Sajid Javid, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Attorney General Suella Braverman, and Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt are also reported to be in the running.
Each candidate would first need the support of 8 MPs to be nominated. Thereafter, the Conservative MPs would conduct the first round of votes, in which those with less than 18 votes would be eliminated. In the second round of votes, those with less than 36 votes would be eliminated. This process goes on until merely two MPs are left in the running, after which there would be a postal vote of the wider Conservative Party. Subsequently, the chosen MP would become the leader of the Conservative Party and the PM.
Meanwhile, several Russian politicians celebrated Johnson’s resignation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “He doesn’t like us, we don’t like him either.” Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Russian Parliament remarked, “The clown is going.” Likewise, foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said his fall is indicative of the fall of the West. She warned, “The moral of the story is: do not seek to destroy Russia … Russia cannot be destroyed.”