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THERESA MAY HAS held her final Prime Minister’s Questions and Boris Johnson is now the British Prime Minister.
After Theresa May handed in her resignation to the Queen, who accepted it, Johnson was called to Buckingham Palace to be asked to form a new government.
Now that he’s sworn in, he’s returning to Number 10 Downing Street to make a speech, before announcing his first Cabinet appointments.
Here’s a more detailed piece about what to expect today – and stay with us here for live updates as we go…
24 Jul 2019
12:04PM
Theresa May is being forced to defend Boris Johnson in her first question out of the gates.
Laughs in the chamber as she notes she “worked with him in Cabinet”.
There’s a packed chamber at the House of Commons today. We can expect the opposition to largely pull their punches this afternoon as May signs off.
Corbyn hasn’t started his questions yet.
No sign of Johnson in the chamber yet, by the looks of it.
Jeremy Corbyn begins his contribution by paying tribute to May’s sense of public service, and says he hopes she has a less stressful time on the backbenches.
Laughs for Corbyn’s gag as he says he hopes she may even join with him in fighting Boris’s damaging policies. A good-natured smile from the PM.
“Given that her successor has no mandate from the people” doesn’t May agree that the best thing for Johnson to do would be to call an election, Corbyn asks.
May’s response: “No.”
24 Jul 2019
12:19PM
Time for May to say a few nice things about her opposite number now.
She says it’s a testament to the strength of the UK’s democracy that these weekly exchanges take place “at two swords’ length”.
She says she recognises Corbyn’s commitment to his constituency and has seen this in action.
But the positivity doesn’t last long. Signing off her answer she suggests that, having recognised her time as party leader was at an end perhaps he should realise his time in the top Labour position is also almost up.
Roars from the chamber at this barb. Laughter… General shouting? Hard to tell really.
24 Jul 2019
12:26PM
The SNP leader at Westminster Ian Blackford says that while the Scottish party has had its differences with May they have also stood together on some issues, like the Salisbury attacks.
Some surprise from UK political journalists at May’s earlier jibe at Corbyn – perhaps a little off-tone for ‘dead rubber’ face-offs like this?
.@theresa_may last ever remarks to @jeremycorbyn at #PMQs. "He and I are very different people...What we have in common is our commitment to our constituencies. As a party leader who has accepted when her time is up, perhaps the time has come for him to do the same". Wow
Asked by Jo Swinson what her advice for women is, PM replies "to be true to yourself".
Congratulates Ms Swinson on becoming first female leader of Lib Dems. Takes a snipe at Labour for being only party not to have female leader. #PMQshttps://t.co/C99fofCB14
Gráinne Ní Aodha here taking over the Liveblog for Theresa May’s final moments as Prime Minister… which, as expected, has brought the resignation of Philip Hammond.
I have just handed in my resignation to @theresa_may. It has been a privilege to serve as her Chancellor of the Exchequer for the last three years. pic.twitter.com/pcCkvKhQxj
In his letter to Theresa May he said that “I believe that your successor must be free to choose a Chancellor who is fully aligned with his policy position.”
Johnson’s Etonian rival Cameron has just tweeted his congratulations to Johnson.
I wonder what took him so long – did he draft two possible responses?
Congratulations @BorisJohnson on becoming our Prime Minister. It is a great privilege & responsibility - but behind that famous black door you will find the most hugely talented officials waiting & wanting to help you serve the country; I wish you well.
The officials around Johnson are said to me Dominic Cummings as senior adviser, Eddie Lister, Johnson’s former chief while he was London mayor, and former ambassador David Frost.
One big appointment coming today - Dominic Cummings expected to be senior advisor to the new PM - Vote Leave chief moving into govt - huge brain and experienced in govt, and will be applauded by Brexiteers - highly controversial too
Cummings seems devoted to the job anyways – enough to ask for an operation extension.
Hear that Dom Cummings was meant to be having an operation under general anaesthetic this morning. But he cancelled it last night after discussions with Boris Johnson & has rearranged for after October 31.
David Lidington, Theresa May’s de facto deputy, has resigned as expected.
Formerly a Europe minister, Lidington was a ‘Remainer’ who worked closely with Tánaiste Simon Coveney:
“I wrote to Boris Johnson yesterday to congratulate him on his election, to wish him well & to say I’ve decided that after 20 years on the front bench it’s the right moment to move on. I shall leave the govt when Theresa May offers her resignation to The Queen.”
I wrote to @BorisJohnson yesterday to congratulate him on his election, to wish him well & to say I've decided that after 20 yrs on the front bench it's the right moment to move on. I shall leave the govt when @theresa_may offers her resignation to The Queen.
I shall do all I can to help new govt secure a deal to allow an orderly departure from the EU.
“Huge thanks to the civil servants in the Cabinet Office whom I’ve had the privilege to lead. The impartiality & professionalism of the civil service is one of the great strengths of our constitution. As is readiness of Ministers to encourage candid even when unwelcome, advice.
After more than two decades of collective responsibility I’m now relishing the prospect of speaking & campaigning freely for the things that matter to me & to my constituents.
And Gauke’s resignation as Justice Secretary, which again, was well flagged.
Just to confirm that immediately after PMQs, I resigned as Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am very grateful to @theresa_may for giving me the opportunity to serve in her Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/S0GDqgiFLv
Theresa May wishes Johnson and his government every success, as she leaves 10 Downing Street before heading to Buckingham Palace.
Their successes will be our country’s successes.
24 Jul 2019
2:31PM
“As I leave Downing Street, my final words are of sincere thanks.”
She thanks the public servants across the UK, her team at 10 Downing Street, and her colleagues.
“All inspired by the noble wish to serve in the national interest.”
I hope that every young girl who has seen a woman Prime Minister knows that there are no limits to what they can achieve.
She thanks her husband Philip who has been her “greatest supporter”.
24 Jul 2019
2:33PM
In the middle of her speech, Theresa May was interrupted by a loud shout of “STOP BREXIT”. After those gathered laughed a bit, May responded with: “I think not”.
As May heads to Buckingham Palace to hand in her resignation, and Johnson gears up to take over the UK and the Brexit mess that goes with it, this is the Financial Times’ round up of video clips to give us a glimpse of what we can expect:
Boris Johnson: What the world can expect from Britain's new prime minister https://t.co/r6VzeNahDo
Some much needed light relief as we wait for the handover of power in one of the most powerful countries in the world – what’s your favourite ice lolly?
With Britain in the middle of a heatwave, here's your reminder that the nation's top 5 favourite ice lollies are:
The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said that this is a very important moment for Brexit, and that the EU awaits to see the preference of the next Prime Minister.
Aren’t we all.
Michel Barnier: "I met Boris Johnson once"
Reporter: "Did you like him?"
Barnier: "I think he's clever"
The EU's chief #Brexit negotiator says he's "ready to listen and work with" the new UK prime minister to avoid no deal
Frustrating for Labour supporters on both sides of the debate.
Theresa May is stepping down and Boris Johnson will be prime minister but the one constant we can always rely on is the confusion over Labour Brexit policy https://t.co/AhNO5E9rr5
If you missed Theresa May’s final speech as Prime Minister, complete with the “STOP BREXIT” interruption, you can watch it here (though, we warn, there wasn’t much to it).
"To serve as prime minister of the United Kingdom is the greatest honour"
Watch in full: Theresa May's farewell speech outside Downing Street
Nicky Morgan tweeted that Mark Spencer “is respected on all sides of the party” and Nicholas Soames tweeted that it was “a really excellent sane and wise choice.”
So it’s official: Theresa May is no longer Prime Minister.
The Right Honourable Theresa May MP had an Audience of The Queen this afternoon and tendered her resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept.
This afternoon, in an Audience with The Queen, The Right Honourable Theresa May MP tendered her resignation as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury. Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept. https://t.co/IR70T3Ag3Epic.twitter.com/C1EhQpxEWO
All that work by hancock seems to have worked in keeping him in a job…
Reshuffle gossip: There's talk of Boris giving Matt Hancock a "beefed-up" Business Secretary job that would take in the digital part of DCMS, which would be slimmed-down or folded into other departments.
A crowd has gathered outside 10 Downing Street, which are presumably Boris Johnson’s new team:
Sky News
Sky News
This from a former civil servant Matthew O’Toole is interesting:
For civil servants inside No 10, the bit between the old political team leaving and the new one arriving is surreal. Passes and phones are literally taken from outgoing spads who clear off home or to the pub.
Boris Johnson bowing his head to the Queen of England, and becoming the new British Prime Minister.
Queen Elizabeth II welcomes newly elected leader of the Conservative party Boris Johnson during an audience in Buckingham Palace, London, where she invited him to become Prime Minister
No one is in charge for the next 15 mins so I'm going to suggest we immediately instigate actions to act on the climate crisis, set up a proper costed funding system for social care free at the point of delivery and quickly sign off the building of millions of social homes.
Johnson has started his speech as the next British Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street, to the mumble of protesters in the background.
grainne
grainne
24 Jul 2019
3:54PM
“The people who bet against Britain are going to lose their shirts.
The doubters, the doomsters are going to get it wrong again…We are going to come out of the EU on Oct 31, no ifs no buts, we will do a new deal, a better deal that will maximise the opportunities.
“I have every confidence that in 99 days time, we will have cracked it. But do you know what, we’re not going to wait 99 days because the British people have had enough of waiting.”
24 Jul 2019
3:56PM
“I will take personal responsibility for the changes I want to see.”
“Never mind the backstop, the buck stops here. I’ll be the Prime Minister of the whole country,” Johnson pledges.
24 Jul 2019
3:57PM
Johnson has referred to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as “the awesome foursome”.
24 Jul 2019
4:00PM
To EU citizens he says, ironically: “You will have the absolutely certainty of the right to live and remain”.
He adds: “To our friends in Ireland, I am convinced we can do a deal without checks on Irish border.”
24 Jul 2019
4:01PM
To those who say we cannot be ready, I say Do not underestimate this country… because we know the enormous strengths of this country.
It is here that we are using gene therapy for the first time to treat a form of blindness.
He also mentions creating ‘green jobs’, interesting, given the protests earlier.
24 Jul 2019
4:03PM
Johnson lumps his pledge of Free Trade Deals in with protecting animal rights and welfare, as if it’s an afterthought…
Boris Johnson’s partner Carrie Symonds, in the pink dress, waits for him to make a speech outside 10 Downing Street, London.
The media have been speculating a lot on whether she would take up residence with Johnson at 10 Downing Street, as Johnson is still married to another woman.
We’re going to leave it there and start a separate piece looking at Johnson’s speech – thanks for sticking with us and keep an eye on the site for who will be confirmed in Johnson’s war cabinet.
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The queen who began her reign with Winston Churchill could potentially die with Trump and Boris in charge of the world, say what you will about the woman but does she not deserve better
@Jake Kelly: deserve better??? For starters she was born into a royal dynasty with endless wealth whose only problems are self inflicted due to their own vanity.
Secondly, and trivially, she isn’t even the true living heir. That title is reserved for a member of the Bavarian royal family, due to his lineage to King James II.
So if she really deserves better she can technically sack Johnson, as she is head of state.
Boris the plank is going to make great TV, no doubt about it. like trump another blundering idiot , you wonder how they made the grades to move onto high school let alone University.. It’s going to be a compelling watch. You do wonder who’s lives will be destroyed by the time the Chaos Finishes.
@Daithi Ó Raghallaigh: Boris Johnson won scholarships to both Eton College and Oxford. He is fluent in Italian, French, Latin, classical Greek and has a good grasp of German and Spanish. Eccentric maybe, but he is well educated. How were your grades at school?
@Earth Traveller: well educated does not mean intelligent or equate to cop-on. I know a barrister that has failed his driving test 5 times. He almost 40, can’t drive.
@Earth Traveller: Now if he did all that and came from a poor background I’d be impressed. He got a lot more opportunity thrown his way than the average Joe.
@Earth Traveller: Says a lot about the education system when it can teach a person all that and still have no common sense, like many academics. He is woefully ignorant on Anglo Irish history!!!!
Oh gentle Theresa. Cruelly, blown away by the winds of change. Replaced by that bumbling B.
Your vibrant colours enriched us all. The smell of blossom long passed still hangs in the air…
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