Boris Johnson wins Conservative leadership race, will be Britain's next prime minister
Britain's governing Conservative Party announced Tuesday that former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson won the internal Tory race to replace Theresa May as party leader and Britain's next prime minister. Johnson and his last remaining rival, current Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, campaigned heavily for the job, lobbying the fewer than 200,000 Conservative Party members who voted in the race for Britain's next leader.
Johnson will be sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday, and his first major challenge will be to follow through on his pledge to complete Britain's exit from the European Union in just over three months. Johnson was a leading proponent of Brexit, the issue that drove May from office. May congratulated him and pledged her support.
In his acceptance speech, Johnson laid out a new leadership slogan and not-quite-British acronym, DUDE.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was less optimistic, noting that Johnson's idea of getting Brexit "done" includes leaving the EU without a deal.
But Johnson, a former journalist and London mayor, has long wanted to be prime minister, and he has one full day to bask in his accomplishment before having to actually lead Britain. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published