ugc_banner

Boris Johnson wins Conservative Party leadership race; to become new UK PM

WION Web Team
LondonUpdated: Jul 23, 2019, 05:09 PM IST
main img
File photo of Boris Johnson. Photograph:(Reuters)

Story highlights

160,000 Conservative Party workers voted for the PM candidate.

Conservative Party today announced Boris Johnson as their new leader after he won 92, 153 votes beating his rival Britain's foreign minister Jeremy Hunt who won 46,656 votes, paving the way for the new leader to become UK's new prime minister.

Johnson will takeover as Britain's prime minister on July 24. Johnson had said during his campaign that Britain will pull out of the European Union on October 31, even if a deal is not struck with EU leaders. 160,000 Conservative Party workers had voted for the PM candidate.

Prime Minister Theresa May will leave office on Wednesday after going to Buckingham Palace to see Queen Elizabeth, who will formally appoint Johnson before he enters Downing Street.

Addressing the Conservative Party leaders, Johnson said he was "privileged to be elected leader". "Campaign is over, work will begin now," he told Conservative leaders.

"We need to work together on Brexit," the new Conservative Party leader said. "Fantastic, well-organised campaign. I want to begin by thanking my opponent Jeremy Hunt. A great leader. You've been friendly and good natured, you have great ideas," he said.

×

"I want to thank Theresa May for serving this party and this country," he said," adding, "It was a privilege to serve in her cabinet to see the passion that she brought it."

"Thank you, Theresa, thank you," Johnson added.