OUTGOING Prime Minister Boris Johnson has delivered his final speech in Downing Street and claimed his time in office was cut short after the ‘rules were changed halfway through’.
In an apparent broadside at his own party, Mr Johnson described the leadership as an ‘unexpected relay race’ and defended his record including “getting Brexit done”, rolling out the Covid-19 vaccine programme and resisting Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
He also appeared to suggest the door remained open for a return with reference to Cincinnatus, a 5th Century Roman politician who famously left politics and ‘returned to his plough,’ or his farm. Years later, Cincinnatus made a return to politics.
Describing himself as a ‘booster rocket which had served its function’ Mr Johnson expressed his support for ‘compassionate’ Liz Truss, the next Prime Minister, and said the Government would get people through the current energy crisis.
What happens now?
Mr Johnson is now on the way to Balmoral for an audience with Her Majesty the Queen where he will formally offer his resignation as Prime Minister. This is expected to take place at about 11.20am.
Ms Truss is also en route to Balmoral and will then be granted an audience with Her Majesty at about 12midday.
While it remains an intensely private moment, the ‘kissing of hands’ – the brushing of the lips on the back of the Queen’s hand will signify the transfer of power to the United Kingdom’s 56th Prime Minister.
The new Prime Minister is expected back in London this afternoon to address the nation from Downing Street before appointing her new cabinet.
She will then face Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at Prime Minister’s Questions tomorrow (Wednesday).
