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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Nicola Findlay

Lanarkshire politicians react to Boris Johnson's resignation

Lanarkshire MPs and MSPs have reacted to Prime Minister Boris Johnson quitting as Conservative leader.

His resignation earlier today follows months of scandal and, over the last 48 hours, more than 50 politicians walked away from his government in protest of Johnson's recent actions.

However, the outgoing PM has said he will continue in the role until the Tory party chooses his successor.

He intends to leave office in the autumn, although a growing number of MPs want him to go much sooner.

Dr Lisa Cameron MP says she has watched chaos unfold in the House of Commons (Parliament)

The SNP's East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahgow MP, Dr Lisa Cameron, told Lanarkshire Live: "I have been representing constituents in the House of Commons this week with chaos unfolding around me that has finally toppled Boris Johnson after multiple mutinous resignations crippled Government.

"Tory MPs vying for position have already moved on to their leadership campaigns and it appears there will be instability for weeks to come.”

Motherwell and Wishaw's SNP representative, Marion Fellows, said: "Boris Johnson has finally done the right thing and resigned. It's sad that it has taken this long as he was never fit for public office.

"However, we must remember that Tory MPs were more than happy to allow him to break international law, remove human rights, and lie to the public. Only when he lied to them, and threatened their chances of re-election, were they prepared to push him out.

"The pantomime of the last few days shines a light on the democratic deficit at the heart of the UK constitution. A robust and functioning democracy would have a mechanism to remove a Prime Minister who does not hold the public's trust.

"A new PM is welcome – whenever that happens – but no new Conservative PM will be able to restore that trust."

Many are glad to see the back of Boris Johnson (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Labour Central Scotland MSP, Monica Lennon, said: "Boris Johnson was never fit to serve as PM and his exit from office is long overdue. He should go immediately and allow the country to decide what happens next.

“The Tories inflicted Johnson on the nation and put the interests of their wealthy friends above all else.

“Boris Johnson’s resignation is a relief, however, only a General Election will bring about the positive change our communities need.

“The Tories have done more than enough damage over the past 12 years in government.”

East Kilbride SNP MSP, Collette Stevenson, said: "Boris Johnson has repeatedly lied to parliament and the public. With Partygate, he became the first Prime Minister to have broken the law, overseeing a culture of rule-breaking inside No.10.

"His resignation will bring a sense of relief for many, and he never was fit for office in the first place. He should never have remained in office for as long as he has.

"The fundamental issue remains however – the Westminster system is broken, and in Scotland we have a democratic deficit and these issues won’t get fixed with a change of Prime Minister."

Tory Central Scotland MSP, Graham Simpson, was contacted for comment as were Angela Crawley MP and Margaret Ferrier MP.

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