In his resignation speech, Boris Johnson blames Westminster's 'herd instinct' for exit

In his resignation speech, Boris Johnson blames Westminster's 'herd instinct' for exit
July 7, 2022, 4:46 pm

Boris Johnson-UK Prime Minister/Official Facebook page

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivered Thursday (July 7) his resignation speech outside No 10.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, (born 19 June 1964) is a British politician who has served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party since 2019.

Following a record number of resignations from his cabinet, he finally resigned on 7 July 2022, but remains in post until a new leader is elected. Nadine Dorries have taken all other cabinet positions.

In the speech, Johnson said he had tried to persuade colleagues it would be "eccentric" to change leader and blamed the "herd instinct" in Westminster for his exit.

A timetable for a leadership contest would be announced next week, he said. The winner of that contest will become the next UK prime minister, the BBC reported.

Speaking outside Downing Street, he said he had secured an "incredible mandate" in the 2019 general election, winning "the biggest Conservative majority since 1987".

"The reason I have fought so hard in the last few days to continue to deliver that mandate in person, was not just because I wanted to do so, because I felt it was my job, my duty, my obligation to you to do what we promised in 2019."

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He said: "I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, but acknowledged that the will of his party was "clear".

He added: "In politics, no one is remotely indispensable. I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world, but them's the breaks."

He said he was proud of his achievements in office, citing taking the UK out of the EU, the government's response to Covid and rolling out the vaccine programme.

He also said he had led "the West in standing up to Putin's aggression in Ukraine".

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Johnson addressed the Ukrainian people, he said: "We in the UK will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes."

He thanked his wife Carrie and their children as well as the staff of Downing Street and "you, the British people, for the immense privilege you have given me".

He said: "I know even if things can sometimes seem dark now our future together is golden.”

He promised that he and his cabinet would to serve the country's interest until a new leader is chosen. He has filled vacant posts in his cabinet, which will meet later.

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