Boris Johnson wins the race to become next UK Prime Minister
Boris Johnson has won the race to become the next UK Prime Minister.
The favourite in the contest to replace Theresa May as Conservative leader received almost double the number of votes for Jeremy Hunt among Tory members.
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Johnson paid tribute to his opponent in a victory speech, as well as the outgoing Prime Minister."You've been friendly, you've been good natured and you've been a font of excellent ideas -- all of which I propose to steal forthwith," Johnson said to the laughter of party members.
"Above all, I would like to thank our outgoing leader, Theresa May for her extraordinary service."
Johnson has vowed to take Britain out of the European Union (EU) by the 31st of October, irrespective of whether a deal is in place or not.
Meanwhile, the former London mayor Tweeted that he was thankful for all of the support shown to him.
He said the time for campaigning is now over and the time for uniting the UK and the Conservative party has begun.
Thank you all for the incredible honour you have done me. The time for campaigning is over and the time for work begins to unite our country and party, deliver Brexit and defeat Corbyn. I will work flat out to repay your confidence
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 23, 2019
US President Donald Trump said Johnson "will be great."
Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2019
May announced her resignation outside 10 Downing Street two months ago after failing to convince MPs to support her Brexit deal.
"It is and will always remain a matter of deep regret to me that I have not been able to deliver Brexit," she said at the time.
Britons voted to leave the EU in June 2016.
Nearly 52 percent of those who took part in the referendum supported the 'Leave' campaign.
The process saw the UK Government begin a two-year process to withdraw from the bloc. The withdrawal was meant to be completed by the 29th of March 2019, but the deadline was extended until the end of October.
