I’m committed to doing as much research into British politics as the British tabloids do when writing about American politics. Therefore, I assume the Benny Hill theme song is playing at 10 Downing Street as Boris Johnson runs around, being chased by Larry the Cat, various Tory kingmakers and Rupert Murdoch. That’s British politics in a nutshell, right? Anyway, as previewed, the Johnson government has had a terrible reign, especially in recent months. The past week has seen a wave of Tory cabinet and sub-cabinet resignations, to the point where the Johnson government would simply be unable to do anything because there was no one IN the Johnson government but Boris and Larry (actually, Larry belongs to 10 Downing Street and has no political affiliation, and Larry will oversee the transfer of power). So, it’s actually happening – Boris Johnson is resigning. In October.
Boris Johnson is to stand down as Conservative Party leader after losing the support of his ministers and MPs. A Conservative leadership contest will take place this summer and a new prime minister will be in place in time for the party conference in October. In the meantime, Mr Johnson will continue as prime minister.
He had vowed to “keep going” following a wave of resignations from the government over his leadership but has now decided to step down. Senior members of his cabinet, including chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, urged him to resign and “leave with dignity”.
Mr Johnson is expected to give a resignation statement outside No 10 Downing Street later.
Mr Johnson became prime minister in July 2019 after winning a Tory leadership contest, and went on to win an historic landslide general election victory five months after that. He won the election vowing to “get Brexit done” but his government has been dogged by a series of controversies in recent months, not least a police investigation into parties in Downing Street during lockdown. The revolt this week was triggered by revelations about the prime minister’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher.
BBC political editor Chris Mason said Graham Brady, the chairman of the 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, has met the prime minister to tell him he has lost the confidence of the party.
Before BoJo’s resignation, he sacked Michael Gove late yesterday evening. Gove’s sacking was the 55th high-profile firing or resignation from the Johnson government just in the past two weeks. Incredible.
Boris Johnson is resigning. He leaves Britain in a dangerous state: the time when everything was possible is over https://t.co/brOwVBKw3s pic.twitter.com/tPd98Inbhu
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) July 7, 2022
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, talk at The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Health Awards at The Roundhouse, London, on 14th September 2021.,Image: 632273862, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: ARTHUR EDWARDS / Avalon
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- Hassanal Bolkiah – Sultan Of Brunei arrives for a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Downing Street, London, England, UK on Friday 3 December, 2021.,Image: 646201233, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab visiting HMP ISIS, Greenwich, ahead of the publication of the Prisons White Paper today. The prison is situated within the walls of HM Prison Belmarsh.
Meeting prison warders.,Image: 646813163, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Geoff Pugh / Avalon
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- 03/02/2022. Middleton, United Kingdom. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visits Hopwood Hall College to mark the launch of the Levelling Up White Paper,Image: 659063494, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This image is for Editorial use purposes only. The Image can not be used for advertising or commercial use. The Image can not be altered in any form., Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Parsons / Avalon
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- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie Symonds arrive for a service of thanksgiving for the reign of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Friday, June 3, 2022 on the second of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. The events over a long holiday weekend in the U.K. are meant to celebrate the monarch’s 70 years of service.,Image: 696626880, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Matt Dunham / Avalon
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- Boris and Carrie Johnson attend, St Pauls Cathedral for the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen .,Image: 696627077, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Ian Vogler / Avalon
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- 03/06/2022. London, United Kingdom. Service of thanksgiving for the Queen. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie join members of the Royal Family at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Platinum Jubilee Service of thanksgiving for the Queen.,Image: 696688805, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: This image is for Editorial use purposes only. The Image can not be used for advertising or commercial use. The Image can not be altered in any form., Model Release: no, Credit line: Andrew Parsons / Avalon
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- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson departs for Parliament – Downing Street, London, England, UK on Tuesday 5 July, 2022.,Image: 705194199, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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Downing Street, London, UK. 6th July 2022.
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, departs from Number 10 Downing Street to attend weekly Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQ) session in the House of Commons following the double resignation of Sajid Javid and Rishi Sunak yesterday and several others today.,Image: 705460399, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Supplied by AVALON – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon – [email protected] London: 44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: 1 (310) 822 0419 Madrid: 34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Photo by Amanda Rose / Avalon
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- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson departs for PMQs – Downing Street, London, England, UK on Wednesday 6 July, 2022.,Image: 705460463, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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- London, UK, 06th July, 2022. Boris Johnson, MP, British Prime Minister, exits 10 Downing Street for PMQs at Parliament today. He has been put under pressure following several high profile resignations.,Image: 705461791, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Imageplotter / Avalon
