Boris Johnson has sensationally resigned at the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and leader of the Conservative Party.
Boris spoke outside No. 10 Downing Street on Thursday afternoon, addressing the media with the following words: “It is now evident that the party wants a new leader. It’s time to start the process of selecting a new leader. The schedule will be revealed the following week.”
“I have selected a Cabinet to act as temporary leaders. I want to express my gratitude to the millions of voters who supported us in 2019 for giving us the largest Tory majority since 1987”.
A still belligerent Johnson declared that it was his “responsibility and obligation” to continue in his position amid boos and cheers, with the occasional clap. But it was time to go at this point.
He acknowledged that making this choice was “difficult,” but said that the herd moves on when it must. He asserted that “our clever and Darwinian system will produce another leader” and that he will support the new leader wholeheartedly.
He thanked his wife Carrie Johnson and his family and stated, “And to you, the British public, I know there will be many people who will be relieved and possibly quite a number who will also be saddened and I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world.”
A chorus of boos ensued as he thanked the NHS for “[extending] my own term in government” while reflecting on his personal struggle with COVID-19.
“First and foremost, I want to thank the British people for the tremendous pleasure you have bestowed upon me. Your interests will be served going forward and up until the next prime minister is in place, I want you to know,” he concluded.
Fewer than a dozen Tory MPs allegedly attended the address to demonstrate their support for the former premier.
Johnson intends to continue serving as caretaker leader until the fall while the Conservatives choose a new leader, according to BBC News.
Following a last round of resignations, including that of security minister Damian Hinds and freshly appointed but since resigned education minister Michelle Donelan, Johnson allegedly made his decision Thursday morning. While not resigning, recently appointed chancellor Nadim Zahawi also published a letter urging on Johnson to go.
Johnson had vowed on Wednesday to keep working despite the more than 40 payroll resignations.
Boris Johnson managed to escape Partygate and several other scandals, but in the end, it was his backing of Chris Pincher that dealt him with the killer blow.
Pincher was accused of molesting two men, leading to his resignation as the party’s deputy chief whip. Since then, he has been accused of more offences, including those that were allegedly committed before Johnson hired him as a whip.
Before Johnson’s office acknowledged he knew about the prior allegations of sexual misconduct against Pincher but still promoted him, Downing Street first denied Johnson had any knowledge of them.
This was the last straw for many people, including chancellor Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid. Their resignations, which came minutes apart, prepared the way for a final judgement.
