Welsh reaction to PM's resignation
A mixed response from the party leaders in Wales following Boris Johnson's announcement today.
Last updated 7th Jul 2022
Leader of Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies, wishes Boris Johnson, Carrie and the rest of his family all the best for the future and thanks him for his service to our country.
He starts his statement by saying "It was essential for the Prime Minister to hold the confidence of our country, party and the parliament. Clearly that is no longer the case.
"Boris Johnson's legacy will always be that he ended the deadlock and got Brexit done, delivering on the will of the British people.
He continues, "As well as securing a historic victory in 2019, Boris ensured our return to freedom out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Regrettably, it has now become very difficult for him to deliver on the mandate he secured.
"As a friend and supporter of the Prime Minister, I recognise his achievements over the last three years. It now falls to the Conservative Party to select a new leader to deliver on our manifesto commitments to the remainder of this Parliament."
Whilst First Minister and Welsh Labour's Mark Drakeford says he's 'pleased to see the Prime Minister's done the right thing', opening with 'all four nations need a stable UK Government.'
A more scathing response from Plaid Cymru's Adam Price about Boris Johnson's track record saying he's finally fallen on his sword and that 'Wales deserves so much better.'
He says: “This latest Conservative psychodrama only serves to shine a light on what many of us already know - Britain is a failing state.
“The outgoing Prime Minister has unleashed unprecedented damage on our devolution settlement. Powers have been rolled back, legislation has been unilaterally scrapped, and conventions have been relentlessly ignored.
“Tory candidates have a chance to prove us wrong. They could promise a fundamental rethink of the way Westminster interacts with Welsh devolution. They could promise to respect for our institutions and our requests for further devolved powers. Given their track record, we already know they won’t.
“As a Tory beauty contest begins between desperate hopefuls, we in Wales must remember that we have never elected a majority of Tory MPs. We must now redouble efforts to strengthen our own democracy in stark contrast to this Westminster circus.”
Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds has tweeted: "Finally this whole sorry and undignified saga has come to an end. Continuing "The Welsh public won't forgive so many Welsh Conservative MPs for propping up Boris Johnson for so long against various scandals while at the same time ordinary families were struggling to copy with the cost-of-living crisis."