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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged to his government that he will not use his remaining time as prime minister to make “significant changes in attitude”.
Johnson had succumbed to pressure from ministers and resigned as Conservative Party leader, but he would like to remain in his duties until the party chooses a successor.
He also urged some Conservative MPs to leave office immediately.
However, a cabinet minister said Johnson had agreed to remain as “interim” prime minister.
A timetable for the Conservative Party leader’s race will be announced next week, and although there is no set deadline for such a competition, the new party leader, who will also take over as prime minister, is expected to be chosen by September.
The attorney general, Suella Braverman, is the only Conservative party to have announced her candidacy to replace Johnson, and Steve Baker has announced that he is “seriously” considering a candidacy.
More candidates are expected to join them over the coming days, although Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has ruled himself out.
Michael Gove, who was sacked as Secretary of State for Housing and Communities and who had earlier appealed to Johnson to resign, also announced he would not run.
The BBC has learned that Sajid Javid, whose resignation as health minister on Tuesday led to a massive number of other resignations that forced Johnson to resign, is seriously considering running for the nomination.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who was part of the group of opposition cabinet ministers who have called on Johnson to resign, is also seriously considering running.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer says that if Johnson does not immediately step down, his party will introduce a vote of no confidence in the government in Parliament.
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major was also among the Conservatives calling on Johnson to resign as prime minister immediately, arguing that it would be “unwise” for him to remain until his successor was chosen.
Major suggested that party leaders expedite the selection of Johnson’s successor, adding that if this was not possible, Johnson’s deputy, Dominic Raab, should take the position of caretaker prime minister.
Johnson had said, at an earlier cabinet meeting, that they (ministers) were “obligated to do what we’ve already agreed,” adding, “I’m not going to make a big change of direction” during his remaining time in Downing Street.
Johnson joked that the team at the table, which included several new faces in positions vacated by recent resignations, was “the best government he’s ever had”.
He also added that “major financial decisions” should be left to the next prime minister, according to a statement from Downing Street.
A major economic speech scheduled for next week, involving Johnson and the Treasury secretary, as they were about to begin a plan to tackle the rising cost of living, was also cancelled.
photo released, UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Wales Minister Robert Buckland said Johnson had agreed to take over as an “interim” prime minister.
“This is very clear. This is clearly defined by the government,” he added.
Johnson’s resignation came in the wake of ministers’ objection to his leadership, sparked by Johnson’s admission of a mistake over his decision to appoint the former deputy from the party, Chris Pincher, as deputy head of party discipline in February of this year, despite knowing that there were accusations of misconduct against him.
Despite this, Johnson’s leadership has been criticized in recent months, including the “Partygate” scandal, in which he violated the rules of social distancing imposed by Britain to combat the Corona outbreak, and was fined.
In his Downing Street resignation letter, Johnson said he had “struggled to stay in office because of his commitment to fulfilling a significant mandate” he received in the 2019 general election.
He added that it would be “painful” not to offer “many ideas and projects”, blaming his departure on “herd instinct” in Westminster, referring to the British Parliament.
“In politics, there is no indispensable person,” he said.
“I want you to know how sad I am to give up the best job in the world, but that’s how it went,” Johnson added.
photo released, Number 10 Flickr
Downing Street released a picture of the Prime Minister kissing his wife, Carrie, after his resignation letter
Johnson stressed that he is proud of the achievements he achieved during his time in office, noting the completion of Britain’s exit from the European Union, the government’s response to Covid 19 and the introduction of the vaccine program.
Addressing the Ukrainian people, he said: “We in the UK will continue to support your fight for freedom as long as there is a need.”
President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Johnson for “recognizing the threat of a monster.” [الاتحاد الروسي] And he was always at the forefront of support [لأوكرانيا].”
Johnson also spoke to Zelensky, reassuring him that his successor would remain committed to Ukraine, he said. The two leaders described each other as “heroes”.
photo released, Ukraine Government
Zelensky praised Johnson’s support for Ukraine
Nick Erdley analysis
political affairs reporter
Can Boris Johnson really stay in office until the fall? I think the answer out this afternoon is “maybe”.
Some MPs really do not want this to happen, because they are angry about what happened in the past days, and they feel that there is a lot of bad blood, so they are looking into what they should do to speed up his departure from office.
However, not everyone shares the same sentiment, even among the prime minister’s fiercest critics, who feel that he will be very difficult to remove.
The plan for now is to reduce the long list of nominees to two candidates over the next two weeks, with the leadership race taking place during the summer recess.
A new prime minister could then be appointed in September, and some MPs I’ve spoken to who barely support the prime minister are willing to accept that.
Nor is it clear how early the prime minister will be removed from office. Will the Conservative Party still be hungry for a surprise hit, to get rid of Johnson just a few weeks ago?
I think Johnson’s announcement to the Cabinet that he will not make major policy changes will calm some nerves.
So there is a fair chance that Boris Johnson will remain as prime minister until next September.