Boris Johnson has withdrawn from the race for the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party and the prime ministership after failing to gather the 100 signatures of MPs needed to formally submit his candidacy.
According to reports, the former prime minister, who returned hastily from his Caribbean holiday to join the race, had by Sunday evening collected about 60 signatures, compared to more than 140 for Rishi Sunak and 25 for Penny Mordon.
Boris Johnson met with the two other leadership contenders in an attempt to convince them to join him in his bid to return to the leadership.
However, on Sunday evening he said that although he had secured the necessary support, he had decided not to stand because «it is the right thing to do».
«I think I have a lot to offer, but I'm afraid it's just not the right time,» he said.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, he says he has secured 102 supporters. «I believe I am in a position to secure a Conservative victory in 2024 and tonight I can confirm that I have cleared the hurdle with 102 statements of support...and could submit my nomination tomorrow. I had a good chance of winning the election with Conservative Party members. But over the last few days I have sadly come to the conclusion that this would not be the right thing to do. «You cannot govern effectively unless you have a united party in Parliament.».
Former Finance Minister Rishi Shunak today confirmed he is standing up to challenge Liz Truss's replacement as Prime Minister. “The UK is a great country but we are facing an unprecedented financial crisis,” he said in a Twitter post. “ This is why I am challenging for the leadership of the Conservative Party to be the next prime minister.”.
