“This is it, everyone!” Boris declares he is “passing the baton” to Liz Truss, pushes Britain to defy Putin, and criticizes MPs for failing him in a goodbye speech outside No. 10 while Carrie watches, before departing for Scotland to submit his resignation to the Queen.
Boris Johnson, the outgoing prime minister, gave his farewell address outside Downing Street as Carrie and his allies listened.
Later this morning, Mr. Johnson will visit the Queen, 96, at Balmoral in the Cairngorms to formally resign.
To prevent him from being late due to inclement weather, the 9am speech was moved to 7.30am.
Today, prior to submitting his resignation to the Queen, Boris Johnson delivered a characteristically brash goodbye address in which he lauded his legacy and applauded his accomplishments.
As he appeared on the steps of No10 in front of MPs, aides, and allies, the outgoing prime minister put on a brave face about his leaving, stating, “This is it, folks.”
Upon exiting the renowned black door with his wife Carrie, he remarked that he “got Brexit done” and managed the “fastest vaccine deployment” during his nearly three-year tenure.
And he gave a strong message that the United Kingdom must continue to back Ukraine against Vladimir Putin’s aggression despite the economic hardship imposed by his ‘blackmail’ on gas prices.
In a dig at the MPs for his abrupt ouster, Mr. Johnson stated, “The baton will be passed in what has unexpectedly become a relay race.” They altered the rules in the middle of the game, but that is irrelevant now.
Mr. Johnson also elicited laughter by comparing himself to a booster rocket being launched, and he thanked the employees for tolerating his unruly dog, Dilyn.
He stated, “I will offer this government nothing but my most ardent support.” It is time for everyone to support Liz Truss, as we shall emerge from this ordeal stronger than ever.
Mr. Johnson shook hands with some of the audience, which included current and past Cabinet ministers as well as Jacob Rees-Mogg with one of his boys, before entering a government car with Carrie and their two children amidst enthusiastic applause.
Mr. Johnson was compelled to forward his speech because inclement weather was predicted to delay his journey to Scotland to see the Queen.
He is scheduled to meet the 96-year-old king at Balmoral in the Cairngorms at 11:20 a.m., and Royal aides are notoriously punctual.
Liz Truss will quickly follow Mr. Johnson into the royal residence, where she will be officially requested to form a government as prime minister.
In other political developments on a day of high drama in Britain:
Ms. Truss plans to freeze residential and commercial energy costs for two years as part of a massive £100 billion rescue to alleviate the cost-of-living issue.
Nadine Dorries has resigned as Culture Secretary and will be raised to the House of Lords, triggering an early by-election test for the new prime minister; Ms Truss will deliver her own speech on the steps of Downing Street about 4 p.m. after becoming prime minister.
As he appeared on the steps of No10 in front of MPs, aides, and allies, the outgoing prime minister put on a brave face as he announced, “This is it, folks.”
After exiting the renowned black door with his wife Carrie, he boasted that he “made Brexit happen” and oversaw the “fastest vaccine deployment in history.”
Mr. Johnson was seen by a large audience as he delivered his final address today.
The outgoing prime minister marched with purpose to the podium outside No10 to deliver a brash address.
Truss develops a £100 billion plan to freeze residential and commercial energy costs.
Liz Truss’ ministers are in negotiations with energy executives on a £100 billion plan to ‘freeze’ costs for families and companies for two years. The newly appointed Prime Minister will use a speech outside No.10 later today to launch a “100-day policy blitz.”
The new Tory leader, who succeeds Boris Johnson as Prime Minister today, will freeze energy costs, slash taxes, and restructure the National Health Service (NHS) as part of a “shock and awe” campaign to assert her power over the government.
Quick decisions will be made in an effort to reconcile her warring party and to address the cost of living crisis with decisiveness.
Last night, her ministers were in meetings with energy executives to iron out the specifics of a two-year, £100 billion bill “freeze” that might be unveiled as early as Thursday.
As part of her energy plan, it is believed that the incoming prime minister will explore easing the ban on fracking and boosting North Sea gas extraction in order to increase domestic supply.
Members voted 57:43 to affirm Miss Truss as leader of the Conservative Party after she defeated Rishi Sunak.
She swore in her acceptance speech to “deliver, deliver, deliver.”
She continued, “I will present a bold strategy to reduce taxes and expand the economy.” I will resolve the energy bill crisis by addressing not only people’s energy costs but also our long-term energy supply issues. And I will deliver on the NHS.’
Mr. Johnson stated in his address that Putin was “completely mistaken” if he believed he could win by “blackmailing and intimidating” the British public by restricting gas supplies and pushing up world prices.
Mr. Johnson stated, “We have and will continue to have the economic strength to provide people with the funds they need to endure this energy catastrophe precipitated by Putin’s cruel conflict.”
“I’m confident that Liz Truss and this caring Conservative government will do everything we can to help people through this crisis, and that we will prevail.”
Mr. Johnson stated, “I’m delighted to have fulfilled the pledges I made to my party when you voted for me, achieving the largest majority since 1987 and the largest vote share since 1979.
“Achieving Brexit, delivering our manifesto commitments, including, by the way,… social care, transforming social care, assisting people up and down the country, and ensuring that Britain once again stands tall in the international community.
“Speaking with clarity and authority, from Ukraine to the Aukus accord with the United States and Australia, because we are one complete and unified United Kingdom, whose diplomatic security services and armed forces are so admired on a worldwide scale.
And by the way… as I depart, I feel our connection is so powerful that those who wish to dissolve it will continue to attempt, but they will never, ever succeed.
In a plea for unity from dissident MPs, Mr. Johnson stated that if his dog Dilyn and his cat Larry can “put their occasional issues behind them,” then so can the Conservative party.
He said, “Thank you to everyone in this building behind me. Thank you to everyone in the Government. Thank you to everyone who has assisted me and my family for the past three years, especially Dilyn the dog.
“I just want my party to know that if Dilyn and Larry can overcome their occasional challenges, so can the Conservative Party.
“Above all, I want to thank you, the British people, the voters, for giving me the opportunity to serve. Thank you to everyone who worked so relentlessly to defeat Covid and put us in the position we are in today.
“Together, we have established foundations that will withstand the test of time, whether by regaining control of our laws or constructing important new infrastructure, solid masonry on which we will continue to build, paving the way to prosperity for future generations.
I will help Liz Truss and the incoming government in every way possible.
He addressed his Conservative colleagues, “It’s time to end politics, folks.”
This is a difficult period for the economy. This is a difficult time for families around the nation,’ he said.
We can and will overcome this challenge, emerging stronger on the other side.
“However, I suggest to my fellow Conservatives that it is time to end politics, guys.
“It is time for all of us to rally behind Liz Truss, her staff, and her program in order to deliver for the people of this nation. Because that is what the citizens of this nation desire. That is what they require. And it is exactly what they deserve.
Allies believe the former prime minister will boycott the Conservative Party conference this fall in an effort to maintain a low profile following his resignation as prime minister.
While his followers hope for a comeback, he plans to spend the next few weeks’representing his constituents’ and supporting Liz Truss.
According to a Whitehall insider, he will become a “private individual” and will “probably not” attend his party’s annual autumn gathering in Birmingham next month.
Today in Downing Street, the Johnsons said their farewells with warm embraces.
Jacob Rees-Mogg (second from the right) brought his son Peter (right) to observe the political drama.
Today, Mr. Johnson displayed a pleasant demeanor as he waved to his supporters in the street.
Sister Rachel and close ally Nadine Dorries were among those in Downing Street to hear his farewell address.
Current and past Cabinet ministers attended Mr. Johnson’s farewell address.
Mr. Johnson was compelled to advance his address because inclement weather was predicted to delay his journey to Scotland to see the Queen.
According to reports, the departed prime minister will likely join the lucrative lecture circuit and publish his memoirs, but will avoid high-profile political actions. Will Walden, who served as Mr. Johnson’s communications director when he was mayor of London, stated yesterday on LBC radio that he anticipated Mr. Johnson to “disappear to earn a lot of money.”
In the midst of uncertainty over Mr. Johnson’s future, his wife Carrie paid a heartfelt tribute to his term as Prime Minister as she and their children prepared to depart Downing Street.
She shared an Instagram photo of herself, Mr. Johnson, and their two-year-old and nine-month-old children Wilfred and Romy entering No. 10 for the last time.
She carried Romy while Wilfred kicked with his left leg while gripping his parents’ hands while wearing a long white frock. Mrs. Johnson, age 33, posted a brief reflection on her children’s pleasant time at both No. 10 and Chequers beside the photo. Today, the family will assemble outside No. 10 to observe Mr. Johnson’s farewell address.
Mr. Walden also told ITV that “few” MPs would desire Mr. Johnson to make a comeback, as there is only “a small clique of very, very dedicated Boris acolytes,” and he predicted that he would have to return under “weird circumstances.”
Lord Udny-Lister, Mr. Johnson’s former No. 10 chief of staff, stated over the weekend that Tory MPs would come to regret removing him and that he may be tempted to compete for leader again in the future.
Carrie uploaded an Instagram snapshot of herself, Mr. Johnson, and their two-year-old and nine-month-old children Wilfred and Romy entering No. 10 for the last time.
Today, following the conclusion of the Tory leadership election, the Prime Minister will pass over to his successor, Liz Truss.