Tories in Shock as Boris Declines to Stand for PM

In a move,which seemed to surprise even his closest colleagues and supporters, Boris Johnson earlier today declined to stand as leader of the Conservative Party and as the next PM of the United Kingdom. 

Johnson announced his intention not to stand at a much anticipated press conference expected to be his campaign launch. He began his speech, held at St. Ermin’s Hotel close to the Palace of Westminster, by outlining what he called “the agenda for the next Prime Minister of this country”.  But just as cheers and celebrations were about to erupt, he surprised everyone in the room by saying:

But I have to tell you my friends, you who have waited faithfully for the punchline of this speech, that having consulted colleagues and in lieu of the circumstances in Parliament I have concluded that person cannot be me.

Johnson’s surprise exit from the leadership election before it even began, came just a few hours after his fellow Brexit campaigner Michael Gove, who was widely expected to support Boris, entered the race himself, with a speech aimed directly against Johnson:

I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead. I have, therefore, decided to put my name forward for the leadership. I want there to be an open and positive debate about the path the country will now take.

The deadline for nominations for Conservative leader ended at 1PM (BST), and the five candidates who are now going to battle it out are:

• Theresa May, Home Secretary since 2010 (supported Remain)
• Stephen Crabb, former Welsh Secretary and current Secretary for Work and Pensions (supported Remain)
• Liam Fox, former Defence Secretary (supported Leave)
• Michael Gove, Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary (supported Leave)
• Andrea Leadsom, Junior Minister for Energy and Climate Change (supported Leave)

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was also expected to run, but at the last moment he decided to support Theresa May’s candidacy, stating that “She is the right choice to lead Britain in a challenging period and will make a truly outstanding prime minister.”.

A series of ballots will now be held among the 331 Tory Members of Parliament. Each ballot will eliminate one candidate until only two remain. The new party leader and PM will then be found in a vote between the two among the entire Conservative membership.

Cover photo of Boris Johnson by Andrew Parsons/ i-Images released under a CC BY-ND 2.0 license.