“It is more likely that I will be reincarnated as an olive, locked in a disused fridge, decapitated by a flying frisbee” – Boris Johnson in 2015, when asked by Channel 4 News about his chances of becoming prime minister.
And yet, here we are. Boris Johnson’s lengthy journey to the summit of British politics was completed on Tuesday when he was announced as the new leader of the Conservative Party — and Britain’s next prime minister.
“Dude, we’re going to energize the country,” he promised a packed event hall.
Johnson will take the keys to Downing Street on Wednesday, shortly after Theresa May’s last Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. May will travel to meet the Queen and formally resign in the afternoon before Johnson makes the same journey to ask to form a government.
When he crosses the threshold into Number 10, he will be met with a bulging in-tray, a rash of resignations and a flimsy working majority of just two seats.
And so will begin another round of drama at the heart of British government.
You can follow our coverage throughout the day on Wednesday — but for now, we’re closing up our live updates and getting out of here, dude.
London Mayor to Boris Johnson: “Let’s put aside our differences”
Sadiq Khan, Boris Johnson’s successor as Mayor of London, has called on the incoming Prime Minister to work together and “put aside” their differences.
But Khan, who backs a second referendum on Brexit, warned Johnson he’ll continue to make the case against a no-deal crash out of the EU.
Europe reacts to Boris Johnson’s win
Leaders in the European Union have been responding to Johnson’s success and signalling an openness to work with him on Brexit.
Irish Prime Minister, or Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar tweeted that he is looking forward to sitting down with the incoming UK PM.