British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Steps Down After Scandals Prompt a Wave Of Resignations

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Boris Johnson has officially resigned as the British prime minister, saying he is “giving up the best job in the world”

This Thursday, Boris Johnson announced his resignation as U.K’s prime minister but promised to continue his duties until a new party leader is chosen. The big moves come after a historic number of government resignations, triggered by a series of scandals, had made Johnson’s position untenable.

Boris Johnson
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the nation as he announces his resignation outside 10 Downing Street, on July 7, 2022 in London, England. After a turbulent term in office, Boris Johnson will resign from his roles as Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister today after coming under pressure from his party. Eton and Oxford-educated Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, was elected as Prime Minister in the 2019 General Election. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The British leader was ousted from the post after more than 50 members of his Conservative government resigned this week. As he announced his resignation, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the nature of politics is that “no one is remotely indispensable.”

“It is clearly now the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party that there should be a new leader and prime minister,” Johnson said. “I want you to know how said I am to be giving up the best job in the world,” he added. “But them’s the breaks.” So what will happen next?

Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition Labour Party, released a statement earlier today, saying: “It is good news for the country that Boris Johnson has resigned as Prime Minister. But it should have happened long ago.” A group of Johnson’s most trusted Cabinet ministers visited him at his office in Downing Street Wednesday, telling him to stand down after losing the trust of his party. The next day a total of 50 had resigned.

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So What Did He Do?

Johnson is accused of lying about not knowing about groping allegations against a man whom he appointed as a senior government minister. However, his most prominent scandal, Partygate, undercut his trust with voters during the pandemic. Johnson was among party members who attended parties at 10 Downing Street and other places while health restrictions blocked gatherings for regular citizens. 

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What Will Happen Next?
During his announcement, Johnson said the process to select his successor would begin immediately and a change in leadership would be announced next week. Johnson’s departure will end his three-year turn as the British leader.

Of course, Russian President Vladimir Putin took one final jab at Boris Johnson after news broke he plans to resign as U.K. prime minister. “We would like to hope that some day in Great Britain more professional people who can make decisions through dialogue will come to power,” Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov wrote in a statement regarding the change in government.

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