Boris Johnson pulls out of Conservative leadership race
Boris Johnson has revealed that he will not stand in the upcoming Tory leadership battle, despite previously being the favourite to take over from David Cameron.
Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson has declared that he will not run in the upcoming Conservative leadership battle, telling his followers that he is not the right person to lead the party.
Mr Johnson – who was widely tipped as David Cameron’s successor during the EU referendum campaign – was expected to enter the race with a speech setting out his vision for the UK’s future outside the EU.
However, he said that after careful consultation, he will not be standing as leader of his party – a position that would have also seen him become the UK Prime Minister.
“Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances of Parliament I have concluded that person cannot be me,” Mr Johnson said.
“My role is to give every possible support to the next Conservative administration to make sure we properly fulfil the mandate of the people that was delivered at the referendum and to champion the agenda that I believe in.”
Mr Johnson’s decision not to stand comes after former ally Michael Gove announced his own plans to run for leadership earlier today, claiming “Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead”.
Nominations for the Conservative Party leadership contest closed at midday – with the winner set to be announced on September 9.
The rest of the candidate include Home Secretary Theresa May – who has withdrawn plans to exit the European Court of Human Rights.
Energy minister and Brexit campaigner Andrea Leadsom is also running, joining former Defence Secretary Liam Fox and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.
