“The last few years have been the greatest privilege of my life. It’s true that I helped get the most “story” [conservadora] for 40 years and a huge restructuring in British politics. We have transformed our democracy and restored our national independence,” said the politician, who will step down as prime minister in September.
Johnson also said he helped the country “overcome the pandemic and save another country from barbarism,” referring to Ukraine.
“Honestly, that’s enough for now. Mission accomplished for now,” he said, ending his speech with “hasta la vista, baby,” which became iconic after it was used by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
As he left, Johnson received applause from the Conservative Party bench, but, unlike other former Conservative prime ministers such as David Cameron, he was not applauded by the opposition.
Labor leader Keir Starmer began by wishing Boris Johnson and his family “good luck in the future”, acknowledging that relations between the main opposition force and the head of government “are never easy”.
But in parting, he did not spare his rival, noting that none of the successor candidates said “a single decent word” about the incumbent conservative leader and that they all criticized the executive branch during televised debates.
Keir Starmer was referring to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who recognized the need to change current British economic policy, Trade Secretary Penny Mordaunt, who lamented that the government had not “done enough” and former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, who suggested that voters were not trust the executive branch.
Three politicians are currently running in the sixth and final round of the Conservative Party leader election. Today’s tour aims to narrow the race down to two candidates who face a final vote by rank and file members across the country during August.
The winner is due to be announced on September 5 and will automatically become Prime Minister without the need for a nationwide election.
“I think the message coming out of these leadership elections is pretty clear. They got us into this mess and they have no idea how to get out of it.”
Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Ian Blackford “personally” thanked the prime minister for stepping up support for independence, although polls show Scots remain divided on the issue.
Brexit Tories cut £31bn [36.000 milhões de euros] in the economy, the biggest drop in living standards since the 1970s. People’s wages in real terms fell at the fastest rate in history. The worst economic growth forecast in the G20 outside of Russia and the highest inflation in the last 40 years,” he accused.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey advocated holding legislative elections to legitimize a new prime minister, to which Boris Johnson left some advice “whatever that may be”.
“First, stand alongside the Americans and stand up for the Ukrainians, stand up for freedom and democracy everywhere,” Boris Johnson began, adding that he must also “cut taxes and deregulate wherever possible for that to happen.” . [país] the best place to live and invest.”
In a veiled critique of Rishi Sunak, Johnson said he “loves” the Treasury Department but defended investment in infrastructure to stimulate the economy, noting that if they had always heeded warnings to increase government spending, “we wouldn’t have built in [autoestrada] M25 or Channel Tunnel.”
“Focus on the path ahead. But always remember to look in your rearview mirror. And remember, it’s not Twitter that matters in the first place, it’s the people who sent us here.”
The election among the British Conservatives was prompted by the fact that two weeks ago Johnson resigned as Conservative leader after a massive dismissal of government members over several months of ethical scandals.
Boris Johnson will remain in office until a replacement is chosen.