Photo: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
Boris Johnson, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, pulled out of the contest to become the next Conservative Party leader and return to his past role.
Johnson, 58, said on Sunday that he had gained the backing of 102 colleagues, more than the 100 needed to appear on the ballot for the Conservative Party membership on Monday, but declined to run, saying, “This wouldsimply not be the right thing to do,” and noting, “You can’t govern effectively unless you have a united party in Parliament,” according to the PA Media news agency.
His removal from the race left former Chancellor Rishi Sunak as the top pickto become Britain’s next prime minister— the third this year — after Johnson was ousted in July andLiz Trussquit last week.
The contest marked Sunak’s second attempt at the Conservative Party position this year. He previously attempted to become the leader during the summer, following the resignation of Johnson, butlost to Truss, 47.
After Sunak’s final remaining challenger dropped out of the leadership contest on Monday, Sunak, 42, formally became the new leader of the Conservative Party, becoming the first British Asian prime minister — and first premier of Hindu faith.
Rishi Sunak.Dan Kitwood/Getty
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Sunak announced on Sunday morning that he would bepartaking in the contestwith a statement on Twitter.
“The United Kingdom is a great country but we face a profound economic crisis. That’s why I am standing to be Leader of the Conservative Party and your next Prime Minister. I want to fix our economy, unite our Party and deliver for our country,” the politician wrote.
“The challenges we face now are even greater. But the opportunities — if we make the right choice — are phenomenal,” he continued. “I have the track record of delivery, a clear plan to fix the biggest problems we face.”
Added Sunak: “There will be integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level of the government I lead and I will work day in and day out to get the job done.”
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Sunak alsotweeted his thanks to Johnsonafter the politician announced he would not seek to become the next Conservative Party leader.
“Boris Johnson delivered Brexit and the great vaccine roll-out,” he said. “He led our country through some of the toughest challenges we have ever faced, and then took on Putin and his barbaric war in Ukraine.”
“We will always be grateful to him for that,” Sunak continued, then noting, “Although he has decided not to run for PM again, Itruly hope he continues to contribute to public lifeat home and abroad.”
RELATED VIDEO: U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss Announces Resignation 45 Days into Premiership
Truss’resignationlast week came one day after she claimed she was “a fighter and not a quitter.” She was selected to take on the role in September, two months after former Prime Minister Johnson agreed to step down.
While her time in office was short-lived, Truss became the third woman to take on the role of PM, behindMargaret Thatcher(1979–1990) andTheresa May(2016–2019), after she won 57% of the votes of Conservative Party members.
Truss, who announced her resignation just 45 days into her premiership, is alsoeligible to receive up to $129,000 USD a yearfor the rest of her life.
Former PMs John Major,Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and May, 66, all claimed the allowance, but politicians have urged Truss to be denied the payment, or to turn it down, given her short stay in office. Truss' resignation last week made her the shortest-serving prime minister in the nation’s history.
source: people.com
