Pressure to get Johnson out of Downing Street: "He has to go completely"

• CARLOS FRESNEDA

  Correspondent

  London

Updated Friday,8July2022-00:42

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• UK Boris Johnson resigns as UK Prime Minister

• Album Timeline of the Johnson Government, in picture

Boris Johnson resigned but did not convince.

The "premier" finally threw in the towel yesterday, assuring that

, but delaying his departure for at least two months while the Conservative Party elects a new leader.

Dozens of "Tory" deputies and the Labor opposition have closed ranks

The most notorious voice was that of former "premier"

, who issued a letter asking the Parliamentary 1922 Committee to intervene to force Johnson out as soon as possible and

.

Several former members of his cabinet also expressed themselves in favor of the designation of "number two" and Secretary of Justice,

, as "interim" prime minister while the process of electing his successor lasts.

"Johnson has to go completely," stressed Labor leader

who threatened a motion of censure that could open the doors to the dissolution of Parliament and early elections if the Conservatives do not urgently get rid of their leader.

. "

The most eloquent of Johnson's old allies was Commerce Secretary

: "What a depressing situation. So much unnecessary damage. We need a new leader as soon as practicable. Someone who can rebuild trust, heal the country, and put running a consistent program to help families.

Using an energetic and almost triumphalist tone that annoyed his own co-religionists, Johnson appeared at noon Thursday before the black door of number 10 Downing Street to deliver a speech that lasted just 372 seconds.

Oblivious to criticism, he announced his intention to remain in the post temporarily until his successor or successor is chosen and according to

In a gesture of continuity that set off alarm bells, after the

, Johnson stood out with appointments of a supposed unity government, with

as the new secretary of Education and

as secretary of "leveling economy" to replace

, who was abruptly fired the night before for advising him to resign.

The news of his own resignation, after clinging to office all night, was delivered by Johnson at 8:30 am to the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, Graham Brady.

Four hours later,

(with their daughter Romy in a baby carrier), Johnson stood out with a speech that was the very antithesis of the one delivered just over three years ago by his predecessor

with tears in his eyes .

eyes.

Johnson recognized from the outset "the will of the parliamentarians of the Conservative Party" to elect a new leader and a new prime minister.

Still, he stressed how

when we are doing so much, have a vast mandate and are only a few points behind in the polls."

The "premier" overlooked the scandals of recent months that led to his downfall: from the fines and the "Partygate" cover-ups to the evasiveness in the case of

, the ally he promoted as "number two" of the Party Conservative in Parliament despite being warned about his sexual conduct.

There was no moment for reflection or apology, not even the slightest flash of humility.

In return,

since he came to power in July 2019...

"I am immensely proud of the achievements of this government, from the completion of Brexit to settling our relations with the continent at the end of half a century, through regaining the power of this country to make its own laws in Parliament, deploying Europe's fastest vaccine delivery during the pandemic, the fastest exit from lockdown and the leadership of the West's response to Putin's aggression in Ukraine."

"I want you to know how sad I am at the moment of leaving the best job in the world, but that's life

," Johnson acknowledged, in a final nod to the British.

"I know many will be relieved, and perhaps a few will be frustrated."

Johnson finally expressed his confidence in "this brilliant, Darwinian system that will produce a leader equally committed to carrying this country through tough times."

Minutes after concluding his speech, the first two candidates announced their willingness to take over: Attorney General

(who became among the most loyal members of his cabinet) and former Brexit minister

, representative of the Brexit wing. match hard.

Sajid Javid

, the former Secretary of Health who opened the cascade of chain resignations of the Johnson Government on Tuesday, has also announced his intention to present himself as a candidate for conservative leader, as he did in 2019, like the current Secretary of Transport Grant Shapps.

Dominic Raab, Michael Gove and Matt Hancock, who once resigned as health secretary over sneaky encounters with his mistress during lockdowns, have all confirmed their intention not to show up.

, who hastily returned from a trip to Asia after Johnson's resignation was confirmed,

is expected to announce her candidacy in the coming hours .

, who has risen to the top with the Ukraine war.

Trade Policy Secretary

, who has been quite critical of Johnson in the past, is also high on the stakes, though she has kept quietly in the background these days.

Boris Johnson will meanwhile go down in history as

, after Alec Douglas, Anthony Eden and Gordon Brown.

From his rise to power to the announcement of his resignation, Johnson has spent two years and 348 days in Downing Street, just behind his predecessor Theresa May, who spent three years and 12 days.

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