Who could replace Boris Johnson in the role of prime minister?
John Major has warned the 1922 Committee that Boris Johnson must not be allowed to stay in No 10 as a caretaker prime minister over the summer – after the PM resigned but insisted he would remain until a new leader is chosen.
In a dramatic intervention, the Conservative former prime minister echoed the calls of Labour and other Tory MPs in cautioning that leaving Mr Johnson in post would be “unwise” and “unsustainable”, urging the party to either install Dominic Raab as a caretaker or expedite the leadership selection process.
The warning came as Mr Johnson’s historic speech outside Downing Street drew criticism from Tory MPs who labelled it “pretty damn ungracious” and lacking in contrition, after he called it “eccentric” to change leader at this stage and attacked a “herd instinct” at Westminster.
Acknowledging that “in politics, no one is remotely indispensable’’, Mr Johnson blamed a “herd instinct” for his arguments to stay in power being rejected, but added: “Them’s the breaks.”
A timetable for the leadership race will be announced next week.
