Boris Johnson’s resignation has effectively set off the contest to succeed him as head of the Conservative Party.
Mr. Johnson announced his resignation in an address to the nation shortly after lunchtime on Thursday but said he would remain in office until his successor is elected, a process that may take months.
It comes amid lingering issues about whether his frantic attempts to cling to his position as prime minister mean he should not be permitted to continue in power when his successor is chosen.
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee wrote in the Daily Telegraph that his party requires a “fresh start.”
“We must once again make government work for the people, and we must offer them a fresh start,” he wrote.
“As public servants, our actions must serve the British people’s best interests.
I have served in the military and now in the legislature.
“Now I aspire to once again answer the call as prime minister. It is time to start fresh. It is time for a refresh.”
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is also exploring a leadership candidacy for the Conservative Party.
According to the PA news agency, former health secretary Sajid Javid, who quit on Tuesday evening, is also debating whether to enter the race.
However, both Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab and Michael Gove have ruled themselves out of the race.
It is believed that former health secretary Matt Hancock, who resigned for violating COVID guidelines, has no interest in a leadership campaign.
It’s time to start fresh.
Ben Wallace, speaking elsewhere before Mr. Johnson’s departure announcement, declined to comment on whether he would run to replace him.
During a visit to a military training camp in the north of England, the defense secretary, a leading candidate to replace Mr. Johnson, was asked if he would be seeking the top post.
He said, “Let’s hear what the prime minister has to say.”
Before Mr. Johnson’s resignation on Thursday, Attorney General Suella Braverman told ITV’s political reporter Robert Peston that she would consider a leadership run if the Prime Minister quit.
Steve Baker, an ardent Brexit supporter, has also hinted he may run.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has also intimated that he will run for office.
“We need a new leader as quickly as possible. Someone who can restore confidence, heal the nation, and establish a new, logical, and consistent economic strategy to assist families, “he stated.
Mr. Johnson confirmed in his Thursday resignation speech outside Number 10 that a schedule for the process to elect a new leader will be established the following week.
It is ‘unwise’ for Johnson to remain until fall.
He stated that he intends to remain in Number 10 until his successor is elected, despite opposition from within his party.
According to the schedule for the leadership contest, a successor should be in place for the party’s October conference.
Former prime minister Sir John Major stated that Mr. Johnson’s continued tenure is “unwise and possibly untenable.”
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has also promised to call a vote of no confidence in the House of Commons, with the support of other opposition parties, if Conservative MPs cannot immediately unseat him.
As the prime minister transitions into a caretaker role in his final days in office, Mr. Johnson and his wife Carrie are arranging a wedding reception at Chequers.
The pair, who were married in a low-key, private ceremony at Westminster Cathedral last year, reportedly sent save-the-date cards to family and friends for the party on July 30.
It is now believed that Mr. Johnson wanted to remain as caretaker prime minister to carry this through, although Downing Street has refuted this notion.
Mr. Johnson’s spokesman stated, “The prime minister has a strong sense of duty and will continue to serve his country until a new leader is installed purely to fulfill his responsibilities to the public.”
Mr. Johnson has already named new cabinet ministers to replace lawmakers who resigned in protest of his leadership.
Greg Clark is the new secretary for leveling up, succeeding Michael Gove, and James Cleverly is the third person to hold the position in as many days.
On Thursday afternoon, the new cabinet met, but no news cameras were permitted.
After resigning as Conservative Party leader, Mr. Johnson informed his cabinet ministers that his government will not seek to introduce new policies or make big changes in direction.
Mr. Johnson, addressing his reshuffled top team of ministers for the first time since resigning earlier on Thursday, stated that his top priority is “to continue delivering on manifesto pledges and ensuring the government is on the side of the public on the cost of energy, transport, and housing, as well as all other issues that matter to them.”
In addition, he stated that the administration would “concentrate on implementing the platform on which it was elected” and that “important fiscal issues should be left to the future prime minister.”
