Boris Johnson UK's next Prime Minister
Mr Johnson beat Jeremy Hunt in a leadership battle after Theresa May announced she was stepping down
Last updated 23rd Jul 2019
Boris Johnson has been announced as the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Mr Johnson came out on top of a two and a half month long leadership battle with Jeremy Hunt, winning the vote held by Conservative Party members.
Boris Johnson won 92,153 votes, nearly twice as many as his opponent Jeremy Hunt who got 46,656 votes. There was a turnout of 87.4% out of 160,000 eligible members.
Current Prime Minister Theresa May triggered the leadership contest when she announced on 24 May 2019 that she would be stepping down.
Mr Hunt took to Twitter to say well done to Mr Johnson. He said:
"Congratulations @"BorisJohnson 4 a campaign well fought. You'll be a great PM for our country at this critical moment."
The Foreign Secretary also praised the "optimisim, energy & unbounded confidence in our wonderful country" which he says Mr Johnson showed during his campaigning.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted to the announcement saying:
“I congratulate Boris Johnson on his election as Tory leader and I will do everything possible to ensure that he respects Scotland’s views and interests.
"However, I have profound concerns about the prospect of his premiership and it would be hypocritical not to be frank about these.
"These are concerns that I am certain will be shared by the vast majority of people in Scotland who, had they been given any say, would not have chosen to hand the keys of Number 10 to someone with his views and track record."
Ms Sturgeon later expanded on her initial response, saying the case for Scottish Independence is now more important. The First Minister claimed Boris Johnson's appointment and the possibility of a no-deal Brexit are being imposed on Scotland against it's will.
Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson, who backed Jeremy Hunt after previously endorsing Sajid Javid and Michael Gove, congratulated Mr Johnson on his victory and the manner in which the contest was contested.
Ms Davidson also said:
“Mr Johnson takes over the leadership at an incredibly challenging time for our country, and he has an enormous task ahead of him.
“My priority as Scottish Conservative leader is to ensure that he will deliver for Scotland within the UK, stop Nicola Sturgeon’s efforts to take us back to a second independence referendum, and prevent Jeremy Corbyn from getting to Number 10.
The response from Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard highlighted concerns about Mr Johnson's willingness to leave the EU without a deal on October 31st. Mr Leonard said:
“A no-deal Brexit led by Boris Johnson spells disaster for our country, and it is unforgivable for the Scottish Tories to back him."
Mr Johnson will officially take over in No. 10 Downing Street tomorrow.
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