Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
AirTalk

Reaction after former London mayor drops out of UK Prime Minister consideration

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 30:  Former London Mayor and Conservative MP Boris Johnson waves as he speaks ruling himself out of becoming the next Conservative party leader at St Ermin's Hotel on June 30, 2016 in London, England. Nominations for MP's to declare their intention to run for the Conservative Party Leadership and therefore British Prime Minister will close by noon today. The current Prime Minister and party leader, David Cameron, announced his resignation the day after the UK voted to leave the European Union.  (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Former London Mayor and Conservative MP Boris Johnson waves as he speaks ruling himself out of becoming the next Conservative party leader at St Ermin's Hotel in London today.
(
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
)
Listen 7:32
Reaction after former London mayor drops out of UK Prime Minister consideration

Boris Johnson says he’s no longer going to be in consideration for the role of Britain’s prime minister, announcing in a press conference this morning that he was withdrawing his own name and would support whoever the next leader of the Conservative Party will be.

This comes exactly one week after the U.K. voted to leave the European Union in a country-wide referendum.

Johnson was a vocal supporter of the ‘leave’ campaign and was one of the favorites to be prime minister.

Many are lashing out at the former London mayor, decrying him for spending so much time propping up the ‘leave’ side only to abandon it a week after it won.

It also leaves questions about who will be the next prime minister and how that person will unify a country that is facing political and economic uncertainty following the Brexit vote.

Guest:

Rob Watson, BBC World Service UK Political correspondent; he tweets