Boris Johnson has resigned as the British prime minister. In a statement outside of his office, Johnson said that no one is “remotely indispensable” and accepted that it was the will of his own party, the Conservative Party, that he should leave as prime minister.
However, Johnson also signaled he intended to stay on as the prime minister until a successor is chosen by his party. He has said this could even take until autumn.
Experts have pointed out that Johnson seems unwilling to leave now because it would make him the shortest-term Prime Minister in living memory. Johnson’s announcement that he will resign brings to an end a standoff between him and his own cabinet.
The cabinet has been urging Johnson to quit. This escalated quickly over the past week due to the scandal scrutinizing Chris Pincher.
Johnson managed to place blame on many others for his downfall rather than accept his own wrongdoings. In his speech, Johnson blamed herd mentality. He also mentioned a “brilliant Darwinian system” that caused his downfall.
But Johnson has been riddled with scandals. From “partygate” to Pincher, Johnson has been scrutinized immensely by not only the public but by his own party. Three years of scandals piled up for Johnson, including the fury over his lack of handling sexual harassment allegations against Pincher, the deputy chief whip for his party.
His resignation comes after a shocking number of resignations from his party. The previous record for a 24-hour period was six resignations. Johnson saw more than 26 in a day period from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening. And by this morning, more than 50.
Even though he hopes to remain as the prime minister until the next election, many Conservatives want someone else to usher it through. Conservative lawmakers are pushing back against the idea he should stay in the office any longer. An interim leader is being demanded.
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