Boris Johnson resigns as UK PM Boris Johnson participated in a Conservative Party revolt after months of moral scandals and resigned as party leader, but he remains Britain’s prime minister – for now – while a successor is chosen.
With British politics in turmoil, here’s a look at what will happen next:
Why is Boris Johnson resigning?
Johnson’s resignation on Thursday came as he faced a series of scandals during his turbulent three years in power, in which he brazenly bowed and sometimes broke the rules of British politics. He had survived a no-confidence vote last month. But recent revelations that Johnson was aware of sexual misconduct allegations against a lawmaker before he had promoted the man to a senior position in his government have led to Johnson’s resignation.
So is Johnson still prime minister?
For now yes. His resignation, which came after dozens of ministers quit his government in protest, sparks a party contest to replace him as leader. All Conservative MPs are eligible to run, and party officials can open nominations within hours.
After the candidates came forward, Conservative lawmakers voted in a series of elimination rounds. The candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voting continues until there are two contenders. Depending on the number of candidates, the process can be completed within a few days.
The final two candidates will be put to the vote by postal ballot for full party membership across the country – about 180,000 people. That process is expected to take several weeks, with an exact timetable for the 1922 committee, which runs the party elections.
The winner of the vote would become both the Conservative leader and prime minister, without the need for a national election.
Who can become the next Prime Minister?
Already the list of potential contenders is long and growing, with the recently resigned Treasury chief Rishi Sunak, his successor in that job Nadim Zahavi, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, Attorney General Suella Braverman and Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
While a new leader is being chosen, will Boris Johnson remain prime minister?
Johnson has resigned as party leader, but he is still prime minister until his successor is chosen. His predecessor, Theresa May, held office for more than a month between the announcement of his resignation and the selection of Johnson as the new Tory leader.
But many conservatives say Johnson cannot stay in office – he has lost too many ministers through resignations to be able to rule. They are demanding that he resign as Prime Minister and let an interim leader take over the reins. If he does, Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab is a likely caretaker candidate.
What are the chances of Johnson leaving before the new party leader is elected?
Johnson shows no signs of leaving early. He appointed a number of new cabinet ministers on Thursday, whom he lost, and said he would work “until there is a new leader.”
If party officials pressure Johnson to step down early and he refuses, the chaos in the government could worsen in the short term. The government has already had to cancel business in Parliament as it does not have any ministers available to attend.
Gavin Barwell, who serves as Prime Minister Theresa May’s chief of staff, said: “There was a question whether the PM would be able to lead a caretaker government in the meantime – would enough ministers agree to serve?”
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