oris Johnson insisted he would continue as prime minister because he has a “colossal mandate” – despite the resignation of a string of ministers.
The prime minister faced quirks at PMQs on Wednesday afternoon as his premiership is at stake after multiple resignations.
He was asked by Tory MP Tim Loughton to ask the Prime Minister if there are any circumstances in which he would resign.
He replied: “The job of a prime minister in difficult circumstances when you have been given a colossal mandate is to keep going. That’s what I’m going to do.”
A string of senior and junior ministers resigned Tuesday and Wednesday, saying they could no longer serve in Johnson’s government following the Chris Pincher scandal.
Housing Minister Stuart Andrew was the last to announce his resignation on Wednesday after primary education Will Quince, schools minister Robin Walker and Laura Trott, who quit as PPS at the Department of Transport. It followed the resignation of Economics Minister of Finance John Glen and Felicity Buchan, a PPS of Minister of Affairs Kwasi Kwarteng.
Rishi Sunak dramatically resigned as chancellor on Tuesday evening, along with Sajid Javid who resigned as health minister. It came after Mr Johnson was forced into a humiliating apology to address the argument over Deputy Head Whip Mr Pincher.
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Prime Minister’s Questions: Sajid Javid resignation speech in full
Prime Minister’s Questions: Sajid Javid resignation speech in full
Prime Minister is convinced he has enough MPs to replace resigned ministers
Boris Johnson is confident he has enough MPs to replace the ministers who have resigned and that he has the support of the majority of his supporters, his spokesman said. writes Rachael Burford†
Asked if Mr Johnson feared he had lost the support of his parliamentary party, his spokesman said: “No, I think he is focused on carrying out our ambitious agenda.”
They added that the prime minister believes he would win a second confidence vote.
Cries of ‘Bye Boris’ heard in Commons as Javid ends statement
“It’s our duty to set high standards when others don’t,” says Javid.
“I went into politics to do something not to be someone.”
As he finishes his statement, the whole room shouts “Hello Boris”.
Javid admits ‘difficult choice’ for cabinet
He says other cabinet members who have not resigned “will have their own reasons” for remaining in Boris Johnson’s government.
“It’s a choice. I know how difficult that choice is, but let’s be clear: not doing something is an active decision.
“I am very concerned about how the next generation will see the Conservative Party on our current course. Our reputation depends on regaining public trust.”
Another minister resigns…
Another minister has resigned from the government.
Housing Minister Stuart Andrew tweeted: “It is with sadness that I resign as Housing Minister.
“I pay tribute to all my ministerial colleagues, civil servants and officials in the department and the wider sector.
“I look forward to continuing to serve my constituents in Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough.”
Javid says he was ‘repeatedly assured that no parties were being held at Downing St’
Mr Javid said he had been assured that no parties had been held in Downing Street and no rules had been broken.
“I went to those media rounds to say that I had gotten those assurances from the senior members of the Prime Minister’s team.
“After the Sue Gray report, I continued to give them the benefit of the doubt.
“But after the events of last week… we have to conclude that enough is enough.”
Javid: I will never risk losing my integrity
Sajid Javid has said he will “never risk losing my integrity”.
He said: “We have seen in major democracies that division is entrenched and not bridged, we cannot let that happen here. We must bring the country together as one nation.
“Effective governance requires loyalty and collective responsibility. It has become impossible in recent months to handle the cord between loyalty and integrity – I will never risk losing my integrity.”
He added: “A team is only as good as its captain and vice versa… but the events of the past few months have made it more and more difficult.
“It’s not fair for ministerial colleagues to defend lines that don’t hold. And it’s not fair to conservative members who expect better standards from the party they support.”
Javid starts resignation
Former Health Minister Sajid Javid has started his personal statement setting out his resignation from the House following his resignation yesterday.
“Despite what it seems, I’m not one of life’s quitters,” he says. “I didn’t stop when I was told guys like me don’t do math, or when people in my community told me not to marry the love of my life.
“I care deeply about public service and giving back to this country that has given me so much.
“When I got the call from the Prime Minister, I didn’t hesitate to serve again.
“Tough decisions had to be made to get out of lockdown and support the NHS.
“It has been an absolute privilege of my life to have been given these responsibilities.”
Former minister calls on prime minister to resign
Former Tory minister David Davis has called on the prime minister to resign.
“Six months ago I called on the Prime Minister to resign because his approach to leadership would cripple the right government.
“Today I ask him to put the interests of the nation before his own, before it becomes impossible for the government to do its job.”
The Prime Minister says he “couldn’t disagree more” with Mr Davis.
Blackford urges PM to call elections if he does not resign
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford urged Boris Johnson to call a general election if he does not want to resign.
When asking his second question, Mr Blackford said: “A few weeks ago I compared the Prime Minister to Monty Python’s Black Knight, and it turned out I was wrong. He’s actually the dead parrot.
“Whether he knows it or not, he is now an ex-Prime Minister. But he will leave behind two very damaging legacies. I hope the dishonesty of his leadership follows him out the door down Downing Street.
“But the other legacy is that of Brexit, and it will remain so, because I am sorry to say that the Labor Party is now fully behind (Brexit).
“Scotland wants a different future, not just a different prime minister. So if the prime minister doesn’t resign, will he call a general election and give Scotland the choice of an independent future free from the control of Westminster?”
The Prime Minister said: “I notice that his comment that the Labor Party has given up on returning to the European Union has not been greeted with delight by the banks across the street, and that’s because it’s not true. They want to get back in.” just like him I think that is a terrible mistake It would be anti-democratic.
“And as for the referendum he wants, we had one, as I told him before, in 2014.”