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7 July 2022

Boris Johnson has (not quite) resigned. What now?

The Prime Minister wants to stay on as a caretaker until the Autumn. Will the Conservative party let him?

By Anoosh Chakelian, Jason Cowley, Rachel Cunliffe and Freddie Hayward

After a dramatic 24 hours in which more than 50 ministers and advisers resigned from government, Boris Johnson has finally admitted defeat and resigned as leader of the Conservative Party. 

In his speech to the public at lunchtime today, he set out his desire to remain in post as a caretaker PM until the party elects his replacement. Indeed, he continues to appoint new ministers to cabinet to fill the vacuum left by those who quit.

In this episode of the New Statesman podcast, Anoosh Chakelian is joined by the NS editor-in-chief, Jason Cowley, and colleagues Rachel Cunliffe and Freddie Hayward to discuss what happens next. They explore the likely candidates to replace Boris Johnson as prime minister and leader of the Conservatives, and discuss whether he will be allowed to stay on until the autumn.

They also answer a listener question on whether “Johnsonism” will continue to define the Conservative Party beyond Boris Johnson’s tenure.

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