The announced departure of Mr. Johnson, in office for less than three years, kicks off this leadership race, which should take place over a few months. The exact terms will be revealed next week.
« I know many people will be relieved [par ma démission] and maybe a few will also be disappointed. I want to tell you how sad I am to give up the best job in the world. »
The fall of the colorful Prime Minister, made inevitable by a wave of resignations within his Cabinet, comes barely two and a half years after he led his troops to a resounding victory in the legislative elections.
<q data-attributes="{"lang":{"value":"fr","label":"Français"},"value":{"html":"Je veux dire aux millions de personnes qui ont voté pour nous en2019 […]: thank you for this incredible mandate, with the largest conservative majority since1987, and the largest share of the vote since1979″,”text”:”I want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019 […]: thank you for this incredible mandate, with the largest conservative majority since 1987, and the largest share of the vote since 1979″}}”>I want to say to the millions of people who voted for us in 2019 […] : thank you for this incredible mandate, with the largest conservative majority since 1987, and the largest share of the vote since 1979said the prime minister during a brief address outside his official residence at 10 Downing Street.
« The reason I fought so hard over the past few days to continue to fulfill this mandate was not just because I wanted to, but because I felt it was my job, my duty, my obligation, to continue doing what we promised in 2019. »
The resounding resignation Tuesday evening of the Ministers of Finance and HealthRishi Sunak and Sajid Javid, followed by those of dozens of other cabinet members and government officials, sounded the death knell for Mr Johnson.
Wednesday evening, the prime minister still stubbornly resisted pressure in favor of his departure, which multiplied, arguing that he had to fulfill the mandate entrusted to him by the voters. The resignations that continued, however, ended up getting the better of him.
Several of those ministers were replaced by Mr Johnson before his resignation was announced. The Prime Minister also met his new Cabinet on Thursday afternoon.
The pack instinct is powerful
In confirming his resignation, Boris Johnson agreed that no one is essential
in politics and that the political system darwinia
was bound to designate a successor, but he could not hide a hint of bitterness by evoking the tumult of the last days.
« I regret not having won this debate and, of course, it is painful not to be able to implement these ideas and projects myself. But as we saw in Westminster [siège du Parlement, NDLR]pack instinct is powerful, and when the pack moves, it moves. »
In Broadstairs, Britons listened to the Prime Minister’s speech in a pub. According to a Savanta ComRes poll published on Wednesday, 72% of Britons believed that Mr Johnson should resign.
Photo : Archyde.com / KEVIN COOMBS
Boris Johnson’s main political legacy will be, without a doubt, to have achieved Brexit, of which he had been one of the fiercest supporters, after months of failures in the negotiations led by his predecessor, Theresa May, and to have negotiated a divorce agreement with the European Union.
However, his reign was marked by numerous scandals, in particular that of partygateregarding the parties at 10 Downing Street which he attended, when the British were required to follow strict health rules due to COVID-19.
In this case, as in others, Mr. Johnson will often have pleaded innocence, before being forced to admit that he had indeed been at fault, even if it meant apologizing profusely, raising more and more questions. more insistent on his credibility and leadership qualities.
The latest scandal he won was in keeping with this trend: after claiming he had not known that a deputy whip he appointed in February was suspected of sexual misconducthe had to backtrack and admit that he had been duly informed.
Mr Johnson had survived a vote of no confidence last month, but 40% of Conservative MPs refused to trust him. He was theoretically immune from a new vote for a year, but the Conservative committee responsible for party rules was under pressure to organize a second at short notice.
Reacting to the departure of the prime minister who had been rumored by the BBC, the leader of the Labor opposition, Keir Starmer, had said that he saw a good news
.
Most we don’t need a change in the leadership of the Tories. We need a real change of government
he argued, threatening to hold a vote of no confidence in the House if Mr Johnson remained in office. He must go completely
he insisted.
The journalistic deployment in front of 10 Downing Street was impressive on Thursday morning.
Photo: Archyde.com / MAJA SMIEJKOWSKA
Which successor for Johnson?
The British media are also full of remarks from Conservative MPs who doubt Mr. Johnson’s ability to lead the Conservative troops for months to come in the House of Commons and who would have preferred an interim leader to be appointed.
Former Conservative Prime Minister John Major notably expressed doubts about the merits of acting in this way, in a letter which he made public. He argues that it would be misguided and possibly unsustainable
that Mr Johnson remains head of government for a period that could last three months.
« For the well-being of the country, Mr Johnson should not stay in Downing Street – while unable to command the confidence of the House of Commons – longer than necessary to ensure a smooth transition. »
A man had set up an easel near Parliament on Wednesday on which we can read odds for Boris Johnson’s stay in power over the next few years, and for the chances of different Tories succeeding him.
Photo: The Canadian Press/PA/AP/Stefan Rousseau
Until further notice, Conservative Party rules call for a two-stage leadership race, in a process that would normally conclude in the fall.
It is first up to the members of the caucus to select the two candidates who will be able to fight for the post after a series of eliminatory ballots. Party members must then make their choice in a postal vote.
So far, only the Attorney General for England and Wales, Suella Braverman, has openly declared her intention to run for the party leadership.
Attorney General for England and Wales, Suella Braverman, on her arrival at 10 Downing Street on Thursday afternoon for a meeting of the new Johnson Cabinet. Ms Braverman is the only candidate to have declared her intention to run for the Conservative Party leadership.
Photo: The Canadian Press/AP/Frank Augstein
Resigning ministers Shiri Sunak and Savid Javid are also among the favourites, as are Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Defense Minister Ben Wallace and former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, relegated to the benches of backbench after finishing second in the leadership race won by Mr Johnson.
According to British media, Michael Gove, former Secretary of State for Equal Opportunities fired on Wednesday by Mr. Johnson, will not be in the race, as will Dominic Raab, Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister. Some Tory MPs want Mr. Raab to act as caretaker leader pending the election of a new leader.