Boris Johnson stepped down as leader of the Conservative Party on Thursday but will continue to serve as prime minister until his successor is chosen, following an avalanche of resignations within his cabinet that eroded his authority and paralyzed the British government,
The Washington Post reports.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters and onlookers at the lectern outside 10 Downing Street, Johnson said, “It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader of that party and therefore a new prime minister.”
“I’ve appointed a cabinet to serve, as I will, until a new leader is in place,” he said. That process could take at least six weeks or longer. The timetable will be announced next week.
Johnson did not become emotional, nor did he apologize for the behavior and actions that brought the 58-year-old politician to this low point.
Instead, he blamed his party for his downfall, comparing his fellow lawmakers to stampeding animals.
“As we have seen at Westminster … when the herd moves, it moves. And my friends, in politics, no one is remotely indispensable,” Johnson said.
He paid tribute to his wife, Carrie, who was watching his speech with their young daughter in her arms.
“I know there are many people who are relieved, and perhaps quite a few who will also be disappointed. I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world. But them’s the breaks,” Johnson said.
There will be no general election. Instead, the new prime minister will be chosen in a vote by dues paying members of the Conservative Party, which will remain in power.
Although it is not uncommon in British politics for a prime minister to stay on until the selection of their successor — Theresa May remained in place for about two months in 2019 — some lawmakers and party grandees warned that Johnson was soiling the party brand and that he was too damaged to stay in office through the summer.