LONDON: Former UK PM Boris Johnson is all set to drop out of the race as his first Indian-origin prime minister, Rishi Sunak, according to UK media reports. Boris Johnson pulled himself out of the Conservative Party leadership race, despite claiming to have the necessary support. Johnson said he had come to the conclusion that “it would not be right to do so” because “you cannot govern effectively unless you have a united party in parliament,” The Independent reports.
‘Not the right time’: Boris Johnson
He also said that this was due to the failure to reach an agreement. Rishi Sunki and Penny Mordent. “I’m afraid the best thing I can do is not let my nomination go ahead and commit to extend my support to whoever succeeds,” he said.
“I believe I have a lot to offer but I’m afraid it’s not the right time,” Johnson said. “I believe I am well prepared to deliver a Conservative victory in 2024 – and tonight I can confirm that I have passed the very high hurdle of 102 nominations, including one proponent and one supporter. Yes, and I can enroll myself tomorrow.”
“There is a very good chance that I will be successful in the election with members of the Conservative Party – and I may actually be back in Downing Street on Friday.” But during the last days I have sadly come to the conclusion that it would not be right to do so. You cannot govern effectively unless you have a united party in Parliament.”
It is worth noting that Johnson’s campaign team previously told supporters that they had secured the 100 nominations needed from lawmakers to appear on the ballot paper for the former prime minister.
Johnson arrived in Britain on Saturday from a Caribbean holiday in what seemed to be a formal bid for the Conservative Party leadership race. Johnson was forced to step down on 7 July following a series of resignations from cabinet members who opposed his scandal-ridden leadership.
Rishi Sunak announced his candidacy on Sunday
Earlier, Johnson had expressed his desire to join the race for PM, saying he was “ready for it.” Meanwhile, former UK finance minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday announced his candidacy in the race for Britain’s prime ministership after Liz Truss resigned as PM and left the country in a state of political turmoil.
The Indian-origin former Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed the decision via his social media and said that he wants to fix the UK economy which is currently in a big crisis.
Sunak tweeted in a tweet and said, “The United Kingdom is a great country, but we are facing a deep economic crisis. So I stand to be the leader of the Conservative Party and to be your next Prime Minister.”
The United Kingdom is a great country but we are facing a profound economic crisis.
That’s why I stand to be the leader of the Conservative Party and to be your next Prime Minister.
I want to fix my economy, unite my party and work for my country. pic.twitter.com/BppG9CytAK
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) 23 October 2022
“I want to fix my economy, unite my party and work for my country,” Sunak wrote. Sunak’s announcement follows Truss’ resignation as prime minister on Thursday as the opposition reiterated its demand for a general election.
UK PM race: Penny Mordant stands up to Sunka’s rival
On Friday, Tory leader in the House of Commons, Penny Mordant, also threw her hat into the ring. “I am encouraged by the support of allies who seek a fresh start, a united party and leadership in the national interest,” Mordent tweeted.
Tory lawmakers will vote on Monday, and two candidates will be put before the Tory leadership until one withholds from the race. The result will be declared on Friday, 28 October.
Liz Truss, shortest serving British PM
Notably, Truss became the shortest-serving British PM after leaving office just 45 days after being elected as Britain’s leader, saying she recognized she “cannot give a mandate” on which He was chosen. Truss said she would step aside within the next week to choose a new leader.
In the wake of Truss’s resignation, Labor Party leader Keir Starmer issued a scathing statement that burst into the Conservative Party and called for a general election. “The British people are much better off than this revolving door of anarchy after 12 years of Tory failure. We need a general election now,” he said. Truss’s resignation was preceded by the sacking of UK Finance Minister Quasi Quarteng and the resignation of Home Secretary Suella Braverman.