A fitting farewell for Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson quit as Tory leader on Thursday after admitting he failed to persuade Cabinet colleagues that he could fight on.
The PM said it was “eccentric” to change governments at this stage but “I regret not to have been successful in those arguments”.
A new Tory leader will now be elected who will replace Johnson in No 10.
“In politics, no one is remotely indispensable,” he acknowledged in a statement delivered from a lectern in Downing Street.
“I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them’s the breaks,” he said.
Protester Steve Bray could be heard in the background playing “Bye, bye Boris” through speakers.
Watch the clip in full below:
Boris Johnson's resignation speech part 1/3 pic.twitter.com/B9uLQnZo6f
— UK is with EU (@ukiswitheu) July 7, 2022
Guess what? The Foreign office is not on the map. Police can’t seize amp or stop me here! Blasting Bye Bye Boris straight through to Downing Street. pic.twitter.com/SrrXYi37N0
— GET TORIES DONE – GENERAL ELECTION NOW! (@snb19692) July 6, 2022
Johnson said the UK’s “brilliant Darwinian system will produce another leader” who he will give as much support as he can.
He thanked the British public “for the immense privilege you have given me” and said, “Even if things can sometimes seem dark now, our future together is golden,”
While announcing his intention to step down, Johnson nonetheless made a number of appointments in the lead-up to his speech.
James Cleverly was appointed as education secretary – the third person to hold that post in a matter of days – replacing Michelle Donelan, who quit after less than two days in the role.
Greg Clark was made the new levelling up secretary, replacing Michael Gove, and Kit Malthouse was appointed Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office after the PM.
Former Justice Secretary Robert Buckland was appointed as Welsh Secretary, replacing Simon Hart. Shailesh Vara was made Northern Ireland Secretary, replacing Brandon Lewis, who resigned from the post Thursday. Andrew Stephenson has been appointed Minister without Portfolio, and will attend Cabinet, Downing Street said.
Related links
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- Boris Johnson told ‘in person’ of Chris Pincher allegations in 2019, senior civil servant claims
- Chris Pincher: There is no current investigation into alleged groper, PM’s spokesperson says
- Sir Keir Starmer categorically rules out rejoining the European Union
