oris Johnson resigned as Tory leader, but sent a broad message to the “eccentric” decision by Little cupboard colleagues and MPs to force him out.
The Prime Minister plans to remain in office until his successor is elected, a process that could take months, which could spark a backlash from party luminaries and political opponents over his bid to “hold on” in No. 10 until the fall.
He put together a new cabinet to replace ministers who have resigned or been fired since the political carnage began Tuesday.
While the prime minister wanted to show that he was still in charge – if only temporarily – his potential successors began to set up their stalls.
In an unabashed resignation, Mr Johnson said he had fought to stay on because of a sense of “duty” to the “millions of people who voted for us” in 2019 when he won a landslide election.
“I have tried to convince my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we deliver so much and when we have such a big mandate and when we are really only a handful of points behind in the polls,” he said. he.
But “I am sorry that I did not succeed in those arguments and of course it is painful not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself”.
Mr Johnson told his new cabinet at a meeting on Thursday afternoon that the government will now focus on the agenda on which it was elected, and will not try to implement new policies or make major changes of course.
He said important tax decisions should be left to the next prime minister, No. 10 said.
Nearly 60 MPs have resigned from government or party posts since Tuesday evening and newly appointed chancellor on Thursday morning Nadhim Zahawi went public with an appeal for Mr Johnson to go.
“As we have seen, the herd instinct in Westminster is powerful, when the herd moves, it moves,” the Prime Minister said.
He acknowledged that “no one is remotely indispensable in politics” at Westminster.
In a statement viewed by staff, supporting MPs and his wife Carrie Johnson carrying their child Romy, the Prime Minister said: “I want you to know how sad I am to give up the best job in the world, but they are the breaks.”
He said his successor’s priorities should “include tax cuts, because that’s the way to generate the growth and income we need to pay for major public services.”
Hopeful Tory leaders prepared for a potentially bitter contest over the summer when Mr Johnson retired.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who broke off an official trip to a summit in Indonesia to return to Westminster, said: “We need calm and unity now and continue to rule while a new leader is found.”
Attorney General Suella Braverman and Arch-Brexiteer Steve Baker have both indicated that they will flee.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “We now need a new leader as soon as possible. Someone who can restore confidence, heal the country and create a new, sensible and consistent economic approach to helping families.”
And Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, confirmed he will stand, saying he was assembling a “broad coalition” to provide a “clean start”.
In The Daily Telegraph, the former soldier wrote: “I have served before – in the army and now in parliament. Now I hope to answer the call as prime minister again.”
Allies say both ex-health minister Sajid Javid and transport minister Grant Shapps are seriously considering leadership bids.
The interim administration appointed by Mr Johnson ahead of his resignation announcement included Greg Clark as the new Leveling Up Secretary, replacing Michael Gove who was fired on Wednesday, while James Cleverly has been appointed Secretary of Education – the third person who performed that role in so many days.
Sir Robert Buckland returns to cabinet as Secretary of State for Wales, following the resignation of Simon Hart.
Kit Malthouse is the new Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Shailesh Vara is the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, replacing Brandon Lewis who stepped down early Thursday morning.
Andrew Stephenson has been appointed Minister without Portfolio and will attend Cabinet.
As the new team met on Thursday — perhaps mindful of the somber faces pictured Tuesday morning at the meeting before the political carnage unfolded — no press cameras were allowed.
Details on the leadership election to replace Mr Johnson will be announced next week, but critics have already protested that he would remain in No. 10 while the contest takes place.
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major said it was “unwise and potentially untenable”, warning that the new cabinet may not be able to “rein” Mr Johnson in his final months in office.
George Freeman, who stepped down as science minister Thursday morning, said the Queen should “appoint a caretaker under whom ministers can serve so that the Conservative Party can choose a good new leader”.
Lord Barwell, who was Theresa May’s chief of staff, said there was a “question as to whether the Prime Minister will be able to lead an interim government”.
Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said Conservatives should not “put on” anyone they deem “unfit” for office in the country and warned he could use a vote of confidence from the House of Commons to try no. 10.