Boris Johnson bids farewell, exhorts UK citizens to support PM-elect Liz Truss

On a partly sunny morning, outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked British citizens to unite behind the new government formed by UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Prime Minister-designate Liz Truss as he addressed colleagues, the press, and Britishers outside Number 10 Downing Street. In addition to humor and sarcasm, he references classics in his speech, suggesting he might eventually return to politics.

In his speech, a number of his government's accomplishments were highlighted by Johnson, including the quick delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine, the finalization of Brexit, the low unemployment rate (3.8 per cent), and infrastructure projects. There is a sweeping increase in energy prices and the cost of living in the UK, both at their highest in four decades, despite the lowest unemployment rate over four decades. He also suggested that the British supply of weapons to Ukraine may have altered the war's course with Russia. AUKUS, a new security alliance with the USA and Australia launched in 2021, was one of the ways Britain "stands tall" in the world, along with Britain's position on the Russia-Ukraine war.





Johnson compared himself to a booster rocket that has served its purpose on Tuesday, saying that the country now has the economic strength to help people get through the energy crisis. Like the same rocket, his mission is complete, and he will now glide gently back into the atmosphere and splash down invisibly somewhere in the Pacific. To remain open, he referred to Cincinnatus, a Roman statesman who retired and returned to farming before re-entering politics later. "Like Cincinnatus, I am returning to my plough. For now, Johnson remains a Member of Parliament and looks forward to supporting the government with utmost zeal.


As he and Carrie Johnson walked through a crowd of colleagues, some in tears, saying goodbye to his colleagues, the Prime Minister announced that he would be giving his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II in Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The Queen will invite PM-elect Liz Truss to form a new government after meeting her. Still, because the Queen, who is 96, is experiencing mobility issues, she will not travel to London to receive her political visitors. These formal handover meetings usually occur minutes from Downing Street, at Buckingham Palace.

With her appointment, Truss will be the 15th Prime Minister in the Queen's 70-year reign.

FAQ

Question 1: When will Ms. Truss deliver an address as the new prime minister?
Answer 1: In her first address to the nation from Downing Street on Tuesday evening, Truss said she would announce a plan to overcome instantaneous energy price and longer-term supply problems within a week.

Question 2: Who is Ms. Truss?
Answer 2: Ms. Liz Truss served as Foreign Secretary in the Boris Cabinet, which may have contributed to her victory in the party's internal elections, where over 140,000 Tory members voted to choose the new leader.