As recently as yesterday, Boris Johnson said he had no plans to leave the post of prime minister. However, during a news conference at 1 p.m., Johnson confirmed that he was leaving 10 Downing Street. Theresa May’s voice broke when she came out the same door and announced her resignation three years ago. It was a far more offensive prime minister who met the press today. – It is clear that the will among the Conservative party is that there should be a new leader and a new prime minister. I agree with this and that the election campaign is starting now. Boris Johnson during the press conference where he resigned his mandate both as prime minister and as party leader. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS / Reuters Johnson also informed that there will be a plan for the way forward tomorrow, Friday. – I think this is very sad, and it is with great sadness that I say the best job in the world, said the future Prime Minister. Dramatic days Johnson retires after two very dramatic days in British politics. Since Tuesday, 59 people in the government apparatus have resigned. There is more than one person per hour. On Thursday, both the media and private individuals gathered outside the Prime Minister’s office. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS / Reuters – The reason why I have fought so hard in recent days to continue the mandate, is not only because I wanted to, but because I felt it was my responsibility to deliver on the election promises from 2019, Johnson said . At the same time, he added that he is incredibly proud of what his government has achieved. Johnson listed pandemic management, the war in Ukraine and an improved relationship with Europe, as things he is happy with after his term as prime minister. Will support his successor – To the British people, I want to say that I know that many are relieved, Johnson said, addressing some of those present, who bowed to him during parts of the press conference. – And there are probably some of you who are also disappointed, he continued, and turned back to the press. Boris Johnson during the press conference in front of 10. Downing street. Photo: PHIL NOBLE / Reuters The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to express support for his future successor: – To the new leader, no matter who it may be, I will support him as best I can. Johnson says he will remain as interim prime minister with his newly appointed government until a new party leader is in place. Appointed new government Just an hour before the press conference, it was announced that Johnson appointed a new government. That is, he filled the posts that have been empty after the mass flight from the government. Michelle Donelan served as education minister in the British government for less than two days before deciding to resign. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS / Reuters To date, 13 conservative politicians have withdrawn from the circle around Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Thus, 59 people in the government apparatus have resigned. On average, there is more than one member per hour. These have left Boris Johnson’s government Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP General about the British government: The British government in our sense of the word, the Cabinet, has 22 members. Most of these are called “Secretaries of State”. Furthermore, the government includes 30 Ministers of State (such as political department heads and state secretaries), and 34 others (called parliamentary secretaries, sub-secretaries of state and the like). So far, 62 members of the British government have resigned or been fired. The list is updated. Departures from the Cabinet (6): Minister of Finance Rishi Sunak Minister of Health Sajid Javid Minister of Education Michelle Donelan Minister of Wales Simon Hart Minister of Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis Minister of Housing Michael Gove (fired). Departures of State Secretaries / Ministers (24): Ministry of Education: Will Quince, Robin Walker, Alex Burghart Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Chemistry Badenoch Ministry of Finance: John Glen, Helen Whately Ministry of the Interior: Rachel Maclean, Damian Hinds Ministry of Trade and Industry: Lee Rowley Ministry of Justice: Alex Chalk, Cartlidge Department of Culture: Julia Lopez, Chris Philp Department of the Environment: Jo Churchill, Rebecca Pow Department of Labor: Mims Davies, Guy Opperman Department of Gender Equality: Mike Freer Department of Housing and Local Government: Stuart Andrew, Kemi Badenoch, Neil O’Brien Department of Industry: George Freeman (25): Ministry of Education: David Johnston, Sarah Britcliffe Ministry of Finance: Selaine Saxby, Claire Coutinho, Craig Williams Ministry of Health: Saqib Bhatti, James Davies, Gareth Davies, Ed Argar Ministry of Labor: James Daly Ministry of Transport: Nicola Richards, Laura Trott Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mark Fletcher Department of Commerce: Peter Gibson, Richard Graham Department of the Environment: James Sunderland Department of Housing and Local Government: Duncan Baker, Jacob Young, Danny Kruger Scotland Office: Ruth Edwards Northern Ireland Office: Jonathan Gullis, Mark Logan Wales Office: Virginia Crosbie Parliamentary Secretaries: Fay Jones, Rob Butler Other departures (7): Bim Afolami, Conservative Party Leader Caroline Johnson, Conservative Politician Luke Hall, Conservative Politician Andrew Murrison, Trade Envoy to Morocco Theodora Clarke: Trade Envoy to Kenya David Duguid, trade envoy to Angola and Zambia David Mundell, trade envoy for New Zealand Sources: BBC, Store norske leksikon The background for the mass dismissals is that Johnson on Tuesday admitted that he knew about allegations of sexual harassment against the trusted party member Chris Pincher. Pincher is accused of stabbing two men. He was suspended from the Conservative Party last week. Johnson named him one of the Conservatives’ whips earlier this year. Threatened with mistrust Several state ministers have previously expressed a wish that Johnson cannot remain in office over the summer. They have wanted Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab to take over. In other words, they have not been successful in this. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab in front of 10. Downing street. Photo: NIKLAS HALLE’N / AFP Labor has threatened to come up with a no-confidence motion against Johnson in parliament if he stays in office over the summer. If such a motion of censure gets a majority, the consequence is that there will be new elections, writes The Guardian. The Tory party does not want that, and it is therefore very unlikely that they will vote for the proposal, even if they are dissatisfied with Johnson.
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