Who could replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister?
Boris Johnson announced the end of his prime ministership in the autumn, admitting many people would be relieved and others disappointed as he stood with MPs in a historic Downing Street address.
Insisting he will remain in office until a new Tory leader is elected, he said it was “eccentric” to change the leader at this stage and admitted he was sad to leave the post – but refrained from talking about more than The 50 government resignations or the collapse in support for it in the Conservative Party.
Admitting that “in politics no one is remotely indispensable”, he blamed the “herd instinct” for rejecting his arguments to stay in power. It was painful not to be able to carry out his plans, he added.
Addressing the people of Ukraine, Mr Johnson said “we in the UK will continue to support your fight for freedom for as long as it takes”.
Critics demanded he hand over power today.
Five cabinet ministers resigned in less than two days.
The speech kicks off the race between the future successors to the party leadership, the schedule for which will be announced next week.
Key points
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Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 1:07 pm
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Zelensky’s aide thanked Boris Johnson for his support for Ukraine
Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, thanked Boris Johnson for his support for Ukraine.
In a video posted on Twitter, he spoke to the camera and added: “Today we have everything we need for the effective defense of the country: weapons, partnership and coalition, and thanks to Mr. Johnson we understand that victory is a true symbol of the future in Ukraine. . . we are extremely grateful to our partners, Mr. Johnson, for the opportunity to do our work effectively.”
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 1:05 pm
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Our political correspondent John Stone has more on the comments of Liz Truss, who broke days of silence on the Prime Minister’s resignation as he finished his speech to Number 10.
Ms Truss was on an overseas trip visiting Indonesia as Mr Johnson’s cabinet collapsed around him and has not spoken publicly about the turmoil at Westminster until now.
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 1:01 pm
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The co-chairman of the Green Party is calling for a general election
Green Party co-leader Carla Denier has called for a general election in response to Boris Johnson’s resignation.
“That it has taken us so long and so many scandals to get to this stage is a travesty. I hope that Boris Johnson’s resignation will bring an end to this shameful and unedifying period in British politics,” said Ms Denier.
“However, it is clear that this resignation came too late to avoid permanent damage to our democracy and the country as a whole, and the Conservative MPs who have supported him until now are to blame for that.”
“For too long the Tories have allowed the situation to drag on while protecting a prime minister who lied and lied again to cling to power, despite the fact that he made the government useless during multiple crises.
“The British public cannot forget the damage that the Conservative Party as a whole has deliberately done to this country in the midst of a pandemic, a cost of living crisis and an accelerating climate crisis.
“Boris Johnson wasn’t just one bad apple, the whole tree is rotten. The public have lost confidence in this government and that is why it is so important that we now have a general election to give the people a say in how they want to run their country.
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 1:00 pm
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You can watch Boris Johnson’s full resignation speech here:
Boris Johnson resigns as Prime Minister
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 12:57 pm
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Boris Johnson has spoken of a “tremendous privilege” to serve as prime minister
Boris Johnson said it had been a “tremendous privilege” to serve as prime minister and thanked the British public as he finished his speech.
“Above all, I want to thank you, the British public, for the enormous privilege you have bestowed upon me, and I want you to know that from now until the arrival of the new Prime Minister, your interests will be served and the government of the country will continue.”
“Being Prime Minister is an education in itself. I have traveled to every part of the UK and, in addition to the beauty of our natural world, I have found so many people with such boundless British originality and so willing to tackle old problems in newsy ways that I know that even if things look dark now, our future together is golden.
“Thank you all very much. Thank you.”
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 12:56 pm
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The Prime Minister thanked his wife, family and civil service
In his speech, Boris Johnson thanked his wife, family and the civil service.
The Prime Minister said: “I want to thank Carrie and our children and all the members of our family who have had to put up with so much for so long.”
He also thanked the “unparalleled British Civil Service” and the “fantastic NHS” which “helped extend my own period of service”.
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 12:55 pm
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Johnson pledged to support the new leader
Boris Johnson said he would give “as much support as he can” to the new Tory leader.
“And to you, the British public – I know there will be a lot of people who will be relieved and maybe quite a few people who will also be disappointed,” he said.
“And I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world.”
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 at 12:53 pm
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Liz Truss breaks silence and calls for ‘calm and unity’
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has broken her silence, saying the Conservative Party needs “calm and unity” until a new leader is chosen.
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 12:50 pm
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Johnson expresses “pain” at the resignation
Boris Johnson has expressed pain and regret that he cannot complete his term as Prime Minister.
“I’m sorry I didn’t succeed in these arguments, and of course it’s painful not to be able to see so many ideas and projects for myself.”
“The herd instinct is powerful and when the herd moves, it moves,” he said, adding: “My friends in politics, no one is indispensable.”
“Our brilliant and Darwinian system will produce another leader equally committed to taking this country forward through difficult times,” he said.
Andy Gregory July 7, 2022 12:45 pm
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