He took stock of his three years in office and recalled that he achieved, in 2019, the most significant conservative majority since 1987, with the promeWe are trying to achieve Brexit, something that seemed impossible after years of political chaos.
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From “the fastest distribution of vaccines in Europe” against Covid-19 to the “rapid delivery of weapons to Ukrainian forces” against the Russian invasion, to “unemployment at minimum levels not seen since I was 10 years old”, he recalled what he considers his achievements.
“I'm like one of those rocket boosters that has served its purpose and now gently re-enters the atmosphere and submerges invisibly in some remote, dark corner of the Pacific. I will offer this government only my most fervent support,” he said.
After the last speech, which lasted just seven minutes, Johnson traveled to Queen Elizabeth II's Scottish residence in Balmoral to officially present his resignation.
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The transfer of power usually takes place at Buckingham Palace in London, less than a 10-minute drive from Downing Street.
But this year, due to the 96-year-old monarch's mobility problems, both Johnson and his successor will have to travel more than 800 km to the north.
During a formal meeting lasting just half an hour, the monarch will request that, as the new majority leader, she form the government.
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The previously 47-year-old Foreign Minister won the Conservative Party's internal election, beating former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, 42.
The third woman to command the British government, after Margaret Thatcher (1979-1990) and Theresa May (2016-2019), Truss represents the most right-wing wing of the party and promeyour reduce taxes to stimulate an economy on the brink of recession.
What now, Truss?
After the meeting, Truss will return to London to give her first speech at the same place as Johnson's farewell, before forming the new Executive.
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On Wednesday, she will chair the first council of ministers and face in the House of Commons the leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer, who on Monday accused her of “not being on the side of workers”, pressured by inflation of more than 10%.
From October onwards, British families will face an 80% increase in gas and electricity bills. Many companies and institutions, including hospitals and schools, have warned that they will have to make cuts or even close due to the inability to pay the new amount.
Truss was elected in a vote with the participation of just 82% of the 172.000 members of the Conservative Party, in a country of 67 million inhabitants, and several polls have shown that a large proportion of Britons do not trust her ability to face the crisis.
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Despite the scandals, from “Partygate” – the parties held in Downing Street during confinements – to accusations of favoritism by friends, Johson still has great popularity among the conservative base and many consider that he is hurt by being forced to leave power.
But this Tuesday he reiterated the call for party unity, which must overcome the divisions worsened by the power struggle between Truss and Sunak.
“If Dilyn (his dog) and Larry (the Downing Street cat) can put their occasional difficulties behind them, so can the Conservative Party,” he joked.
In her first speech on Monday, Truss ruled out the possibility of calling early legislative elections, but promeYour victory in the next elections, scheduled for January 2025 at the latest, against a Labor Party that continues to advance in the polls.
(with AFP)
