Forcible and forcible. Boris Johnson finally decided to step down from power. The Prime Minister, exhausted by scandals and weakened by a series of resignations that was unprecedented, announced his decision to leave power during a press conference held in front of 10 Downing Street. This office and residence of the head government in London, was also known as the "Press Conference".
He stated that it was clearly the will of Conservative Party for there to be a new leader, and therefore a prime minister. Before adding, "I want you to know how sorry I am to have to give up my best job in this world." But that's just life. The Prime Minister, upon his coming to power in 2019, wanted to "first of all thank the British for [his] immense privilege."
Ministers, including some loyalists to BoJo, have been leaving the government for several days and dissociating from it. Since Tuesday, sixty departures from the executive have been announced, with five ministers among them. A departure of unprecedented speed in British politics history.
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Boris Johnson stated that he would remain in charge of the government until a new leader is elected by the Conservative Party. He stated, "In politics no one is indispensable."
After consultation with Graham Brady (the President of Conservative MPs), the Prime Minister resigned and assured that the process for appointing [the] next leader would start now with a timeline announced next week."
Boris Johnson promised that his successor would have "everything [his] supports" after three turbulent years as an officeholder, which were marked by Brexit, the Russian invasion Ukraine, record inflation, and the coronavirus pandemic. Recognizing his failure, he considered it "crazy", that his government wanted him to be removed.
For months, discontent has been simmering, fuelled in particular by the scandals of illegal parties in Downing Street in the anti-Covid confinement when the British had strict rules. He had managed to escape a vote against confidence last month, but 40% of Conservative MPs declined to give him their trust.
Tuesday night's resignations by Finance Minister Rishi Javid and Health Minister Sajid javid spell doom for Prime Minister after a new sex scandal involved the deputy whip in charge of MP discipline Tories. Boris Johnson appointed him in February to "forgetting” similar allegations in the past.
On Wednesday evening, several ministers visited Downing Street again to try to persuade Boris Johnson to resign as he had lost the confidence and support of the Conservative Party.
The 58-year old prime minister held on to his post, claiming he had a "colossal mandate" and then retaliated by firing the minister, who was the first to call by telephone on Wednesday evening. Michael Gove, who was in charge of territorial balancencing, advised him to resign earlier that day. According to BBC, Boris Johnson called Michael Gove "a snake" and called Downing Street a "snake".
Boris Johnson, once a shining star, has lost his popularity. According to polls, almost 70% of Britons want him to go.
